Topics covered:
- Issues related to health and Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre.
Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month)
What to study?
For Prelims: Poshan Maah and POSHAN Abhiyan – features.
For Mains: Significance of the campaign and government efforts to address malnutrition in the country.
Context: The Government is celebrating the month of September, 2019 as the National Nutrition Month under the Poshan Abhiyan.
About Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month):
Objective: To take the messages of POSHAN to the grass root level.
The programme is an initiative of WCD Ministry and NITI Aayog is supported by 18 line Ministries/Departments/Government Organizations.
- It seeks to synergise all efforts by leveraging technology and intends to take nutrition awareness to the level of Jan Andolan or People’s Movement.
- The programme focuses on 8 themes – Antenatal Care, Optimal Breastfeeding (Early & Exclusive), Complementary Feeding, Anemia, Growth Monitoring, Girls-education, diet, right age of Marriage, Hygiene & Sanitation, Food Fortification.
About POSHAN Abhiyan:
POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched on 8th March, 2018.
Objectives: The programme through use of technology, a targeted approach and convergence strives to reduce the level of Stunting, Under-nutrition, Anaemia and Low Birth Weight in Children, as also, focus on Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers, thus holistically addressing malnutrition.
Aims: POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to ensure service delivery and interventions by use of technology, behavioural change through convergence and lays-down specific targets to be achieved across different monitoring parameters over the next few years.
Coverage: To ensure a holistic approach, all 36 States/UTs and 718 districts will be covered in a phased manner by the year 2020.
Sources: pib.
