National nutrition month rally held in Longleng and Jalukie

Dimapur, Sep. 13 (EMN): Rashtriya Poshan Maah rally was held in Longleng and Jalukie districts of Nagaland on September 13, about a week after the government of India’s flagship campaign was launched in a few districts, including Wokha, Zunheboto and Dimapur.

Rashtriya Poshan or national nutrition mission, which was launched in March 2018, aims at creating awareness among adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers, community members, and healthcare providers about key nutrition behaviours.

Speaking at the launch event of Rashtriya Poshan Maah rally at DC office complex in Longleng on Friday, deputy commissioner and chairman district convergence action plan committee, M Shayung Phom told the gathering that the massive movement has been initiated in the country to do away with malnutrition problems of the people, informed an update from DIPR.

Asserting that the government is giving special importance to the health of both mothers and children, the DC “appealed to the womenfolk of the district to give a positive response to the call of the government with active participation and avail the opportunity with optimism.”

Phom urged the gathering to understand the real purpose of the government’s policies and programme, and avail the facilities. Informing that all the government programmes will be carried in the district, he asked the concerned line departments to coordinate for successful implementation of such schemes.

Dr. Wannau, junior specialist, District Hospital Longleng, spoke on anaemia, macro and micro nutrition, and sources of nutrition for healthy living at the event. He informed the participants on change and development of human body during adolescent period and its emotional effects in the later life besides urging them to immunise their children on time.

Y Tauhong Ngongen, CDPO Longleng, delivered the keynote address and the DC led the poshan pledge before the Poshan Maah rally from DC office to Lempong junction. The update added that government officers, NGOs, ward leaders, students and teachers attended the event.

Cycle rally at Jalukie

The department of Social Welfare Peren district organised Poshan Maah rally in Jalukie under Peren district on September 13 with 30 cyclists participating in the event.

The cycle rally was flagged off by deputy commissioner of Peren, Santiwapang Aier and Poshan Maah rally pledge read out by Anganwadi workers Jalukie, ICDS project, informed an update from DIPR.

Aier briefed the gathering on the flagship programme which was initiated by the Prime Minister of India to promote nutrition and health for the mothers and children.

The programme was chaired by DPO/DWO Peren, Nokcharenla Longchar and welcome address delivered by ADC Jalukie, Dr. Tinujongshi Chang. The update also informed that CDPO, Watila delivered the vote of thanks.

Seminars on Poshan Maah held in Dimapur

Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Rural Office organised an awareness camp for adolescent girls as part of Poshan Maah campaign at GMS 5th Mile Model village on September 13. A press release issued by DIPR informed that MO, Dr. Narola Toska briefed the participants on anaemia, girl’s hygiene and good nutrition. Free sanitary pads and iron folic tablets were also distributed.

A separate updated from DIPR also informed that Social Welfare and School Education department organised Poshan seminar for the students of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima at CDPO Rural Office on September 12 as part of the ongoing Poshan Maah campaign. Topics like Poshan Abhiyan, ICDS services, right to education and mid-day meal were discussed during the workshop.

Nutrition mission workshop held in Chare

To mobilise people’s participation for the Poshan Maah campaign under Poshan Abhiyaan, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Chare conducted an orientation workshop at Chare town hall in Tuensang district on September 13.

Speaking at the workshop, Moa Longkumer, CDPO, Chare block, stated that Poshan Maah was started to ensure adequate nutritional diet to the pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children, informed a press release issued by the Social Welfare department on Friday.

“Malnourishment in children happens due to the fact that they are not properly fed and pregnant mothers are not taking proper diet during pregnancy. We must all make sincere efforts to create awareness among the people in our society,” he said.

Emphasising on the need to transform the unique initiative into a mass movement and to achieve the goal of Jan Andolan, Longkumer called for coordination between various organisations and suggested vigorous campaign at the grassroots to sensitise the public on the importance of health and nutritional diet and access government services to supplement nutrition for their children and pregnant/lactating mothers.

During the programme, participants were briefed on issues such as anaemia prevention in children, adolescent girls, safe drinking water, diarrhoea management, hygiene and sanitation, and food fortification and nutrition.

More than 70 people comprised of political leaders, church leaders, NGOs, students and women organisations of Chare block attended the workshop.