‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ project seeks to reduce stunting from 38.4% to 25% by 2022

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 22: As part of the ongoing ‘Poshan Maah,’ or ‘Nutritinal Month’ in the state, the director of Social Welfare, T Merangstungba Aier said that 12 departments of the state government have converged together to conduct various programmes to promote and sensitise the community on improving nutritional value to mother and child and reducing stunting of children.
A ‘baby show’ was organised under the ‘Poshan Maah’ programme by the Social Welfare department at the Ana-Ki Building in Khermahal on Saturday. A total of 87 babies participated in the show – beyond the expectation of the organisers of the competition, it was informed.

“The goal of Poshan Abhiyaan is to achieve improvement in nutritional status of children below 6 years, reduce stunting from 38.4% to 25% by 2022,” Aier said adding that even anaemia among adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers and to reduce low birth weight babies will be the objective under this scheme.

“A malnourished child is more prone to infections resulting in many drawbacks in growth and holistic development,” Aier shared, stressing that a healthy mother leads to a healthy child which will in turn become a healthy generation.

The director informed that during the period of the first 1000 days of a child, interventions of a better diet and healthcare of the mother is very essential therefore making the health of a mother a major role in the life of a human. “Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and followed by food complement with micronutrient nutritious food along with continued breastfeeding for two years is essential,” he said.

State Brand Ambassador, Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan, Prof Alongla P Aier encouraged the parents to take proper care of their children while reminding them that it was an honour and privilege to be a parent.

“A healthy child will be good for the society and nation and it will go a long way forward,” she observed. She also congratulated the department of Social Welfare for initiating such programme as part of Poshan Abhiyan which she termed a ‘huge success.’

Baby Imnajungla Mollier bagged the first prize and received a cash prize of INR 5000 and a citation while Baby Akili K Jimomi was placed in the second position and received INR 3000 and a citation. The third prize carrying a cash prize of INR 2000 each and citations went to two competitors, Kechetyile and Temsuakum.

The sub-categories winners Veyie Tetseo for best smile, Likhumgha Zhimomi for bagging the best dressed, ‘All Rounder’ baby was won by Ninuka Aye, ‘Most Healthy Baby’ by Lendisen, and ‘Most Active Baby’ went to Mathew. They were all given cash prize of INR 1000 each with a citation. All the participants were handed INR 500 each along with a citation.

The panel of judges for the baby show were T Merangtsungba Aier; Prof. Alongla P Aier; Dr. Antoly Swu, Dy.CMO; Tosheli Zhimomi, District Welfare officer, Dimapur; and Dr. Akumtoshi, Pediatrician, Zion Hospital, Dimapur.