“Only 36 percent of mothers in Nagaland initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth and 84 percent feed colostrum to the child”
Dimapur, July 19 (EMN): A dissemination workshop on study of ‘Nutrition and its Determinants and Strategies in Nagaland’ was held at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on July 19. According to an update from DIPR, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, R Ramakhrishnan, IAS, in his keynote address, said the department of H&FW and its allied departments should put in more efforts to study the key maternal and child health and nutrition service since it still remains weak in the state which may be caused by traditional upbringing, genes, climate condition etc. He asked the ASHAs and Anganwadi workers to have more interactions with pregnant mothers as the State lacks appropriate knowledge and application of maternal, infant and young child feeding practices. He added that the traditional Naga kitchen, which is always smoky, should be done away with and be fitted with chimneys. Ramakhrishnan told the gathering that Naga’s traditional food for the infants is harmful and affects babies’ health. He also asked the H&FW department and its allied departments to work together to save the mothers, women and children in all health issues. Health Economist, The World Bank, Dr. Aarushi Bhatnagar noted that in 2016, “the World Bank-financed Nagaland Health Project included a US$15 million component to provide technical and financial support to strengthen the implementation of the communitisation strategy.” She said that only 36 percent of mothers in Nagaland initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth and 84 percent feed colostrum to the child. There is also food insecurity in the state, especially among lower income groups, where 62 percent reported to have only two meals daily, while 38 percent reported to have three meals per day. Bhatnagar said that utilisation of key maternal and child health and nutrition services remains weak in the state, suggesting concerted efforts for improving antenatal care for the pregnant and focus on increasing antenatal during the first trimester. She also said that “woman should also be given co- chair appointment and training for improving women’s participation in decision making.” According to the National Family Health surveys done in 2005-06 and 2015-16, stunting prevalence among children under-five was decreased from 39 to 29 percent over the decade and was lower than the national average of 38 percent. Building capacity for the Delivery of Nutrition Service and Strengthening Intersectoral coordination for Nutrition should be done for the Frontline workers (ASHAs and Anganwadi workers) and facility-based providers for effective delivery on nutrition services, said the update from DIPR. Dr. Atoshe Sema, Additional Project Director of Nagaland Health Project, who chaired the programme said the workshop has been funded by the South Asia Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (SAFANSI). He acknowledged the work by Patrick Mullen and Dr. Aarushi Bhatnagar. He also thanked the UK Aid from the UK government, and the European Commission (EC), the South Asia Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (SAFANSI) and the World Bank team for their contribution towards the workshop and the survey carried out.