The new standardised Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children (Protocol) was launched by Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in the presence of Minister of State for WCD and Ayush, Dr Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Secretary, Women and Child Development, Shri Indevar Pandey, UNICEF Representative to India, Ms Cynthia Mc Caffrey, UN Women Country Representative, Ms Susan Ferguson, Deputy Country Head, WHO, Ms Payden, and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Sh Rajiv Manjhi. The protocol has been jointly prepared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India.
The launch event at Vigyan Bhawan was attended by dignitaries and experts from key organizations such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA), International Paediatric Association, and Indian Academy of Paediatrics, World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others. Senior Officers from WCD and Health Departments from across the country participated in the event. Frontline functionaries including CDPOs, Lady Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers, and ASHA workers from across the country were also present.
Secretary, WCD, Shri Indevar Pandey, highlighted the role played by the ICT application Poshan Tracker in aiding and monitoring key delivery of nutrition and health management and services. Special emphasis was laid on the achievement of measuring and capturing the nutritional status of over 7 crore children in September 2023. The protocol will be a core component of the efforts by MoWCD to reduce malnutrition through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0.
Dr Praveen Kumar, Pediatrician and Deputy Lead of the National Centre of Excellence- Severe Acute Malnutrition in Lady Hardinge College, delivered a presentation on ‘Upgradation of NRCs’ for better nutrition outcomes and Community Management of malnutrition. Dr Thacker, President of the International Paediatric Association, spoke about how the new protocol will help in mentoring mothers and community in addressing malnutrition challenges.
During the event, Anganwadi Workers and ASHA workers from different States/UTs, who have shown exemplary dedication and commitment to the management of malnutrition among children, were felicitated by the Union Minister.
The UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Cynthia Mc Caffrey, WHO Deputy Country Head, Ms Payden, Joint Secretary, Indian Medical Association, Dr Munish Prabhakar, and Country Head, UN Women, Ms Susan Ferguson, congratulated the Ministry on the initiative and hailed the newly launched Protocol in their remarks.
Dr Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Minister of State, stated that the launch of the Protocol for Management of Malnourished Children marks a significant step forward.
This framework is designed to take a holistic approach to health and wellness, outlining clear steps to tackle malnutrition. It places particular emphasis on critical periods of nutritional vulnerability and opens the way for opportunities for enhancing human development potential.
The Poshan Tracker application, devised and made during the lockdown in Covid Pandemic, has emerged as a game-changer with the on-boarding of more than 13 lakh AWCs within three months of launch. Results captured in the Poshan Tracker show substantially lower malnutrition (wasting) levels in comparison to NFHS-5 findings.
The Ministry has made provisions for enhancement in the cost of construction of toilets from Rs. 12,000/- to Rs. 36000/- and the cost for providing drinking water facilities from Rs. 10,000/- to 17000/-. Additionally, provisions have been made to upgrade more than 40,000 AWCs in Aspirational Districts and Blocks into Saksham Anganwadis, equipped with LED screens, smart audio-visual teaching aids, etc.
Our Nation is steadfastly moving towards breaking the shackles of malnutrition. Today, India is launching the first ever National Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 10, 2023
In line with the POSHAN Abhiyan launched by PM @narendramodi Ji, this protocol will be vital… pic.twitter.com/ZPQTyzNJY1
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Source: PIB
