Malnutrition rate reduced by 6.4 percent to 31.3 percent in National Family Health Surveysitive results from nutrition and health care of women and children
sitive results from nutrition and health care of women and children
RUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan started for the eradication of malnutrition has yielded positive results. In the last three years, about two lakh 11 thousand children of the state have come out of the cycle of malnutrition. Whereas in the year 2019 at the start of this campaign, the number of malnourished children was 4 lakh 33 thousand. Thus, 48 percent reduction in the number of malnourished children is a remarkable achievement. Along with this, about 85 thousand women of the state have also become anemia free due to regular hot food and nutritious food under the scheme.
It is noteworthy that if we look at the data of National Family Survey-4 released in the year 2015-16, 37.7 percent children under 5 years of age in the state were suffering from malnutrition and 47 percent women between 15 and 49 years were suffering from anemia. In the year 2018, this figure increased to 40 percent. Thus, from 2016 to 2018, malnutrition increased by 2.3 percent instead of decreasing. Most of the malnourished children were from tribal and remote forest areas. Taking this as a challenge, the state government started the Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan from 2 October 2019.
The Chief Minister’s Suposhan Abhiyan and the determined efforts being run in Chhattisgarh have a happy result that the rate of malnutrition has come down continuously. According to the National Family Health Survey-5’s report released in 2020-21, if we look at the data of children’s weight for 5 years in the state, the rate of malnutrition has come down by 6.4 percent to 31.3 percent. This rate is less than the national rate of malnutrition at 32.1%.
If we look at the statistics of weight festival, in the year 2019, malnutrition in Chhattisgarh was 23.37 percent, which has come down to only 19.86 percent in the year 2021. Thus, the rate of malnutrition has reduced by 3.51 percent in two years, which is a major achievement in the war launched against malnutrition. Around 22 lakh children were weighed in the weighing festival held in July 2021. During this, the level of malnutrition was assessed in a transparent manner. The services of an external agency were taken for data quality testing and data validation. Similarly, in the year 2022 also, weight festival is being celebrated in the state from August 1 to August 13. Based on this data, the current malnutrition rate in the state will be assessed.
It is noteworthy that on the initiative of Mr. Baghel, a state-wide campaign is being run for the eradication of malnutrition through Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana. Keeping the health and nutrition of women and children in priority order, Chief Minister Shri Baghel has given permission to use the amount of DMF, CSR and other items in the state for this. Public cooperation has also been taken. Under the scheme hot food is being provided to malnourished women, pregnant and lactating mothers as well as children. An attempt has been made to overcome the deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the daily diet of the people by providing fortified rice and jaggery containing iron and vitamins in the ration. Along with this, arrangements have also been made to provide quality nutritious ready-to-eat and nutritious food based on local availability. Soya and groundnut chikkis, nutritious laddoos, including fruits, vegetables to women and children Millets with eggs are being given in the form of biscuits and tasty nutritious food. Due to this, the condition of malnutrition has improved by awakening the interest in food in children.
Coordinated efforts have been made by integrating schemes with various departments to eradicate malnutrition in the state. Health facilities have been expanded through Mukhyamantri Haat Bazar Clinic Yojna and Malaria Free Campaign, Dai Didi Clinic Scheme as well as establishment of Health and Wellness Centers, Primary and Sub Health Centers in rural areas. This has led to rapid improvement in the level of malnutrition along with the health of women and children.aipur, 03 August 2022
