DIMAPUR — As part of Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyaan, the Social Welfare department under the Government of Nagaland is all set to observe Poshan Maah with the convergent departments during the month of September 2023.
Poshan Abhiyaan endeavours to improve nutritional outcomes in pregnant women, lactating mother, adolescent girls and children under the age of six years in a holistic manner.
Behavioural change at individual and community levels and improving linkages between communities and the health systems are other important component to achieve the desired goals of the Abhiyaan.
In pursuance of those objectives, Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated in convergence with all the stakeholders from September 1 to the 31st.
In an update, state consultant of Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyaa, Peter Vero, stated that five Poshan Maah have been held successfully across the country with active participation from states/ union territories as well as convergent ministries and departments since the launch of Abhiyaan.
He added that more than 17 crore sensitisation activities were reported under key themes in the last Poshan Maah, 2022.
He informed that the Poshan Maah this year would focus on awareness around key human lifecycle stages namely pregnancy, infancy, childhood and adolescence for nutrition-based sensitisation across India.
The theme of Poshan Maah this year is “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharatm Sashakt Bharat.”
The theme considered for Poshan Maah 2023 included ‘Exclusive breastfeeding and complementary breastfeeding,’ ‘Swash Balak Spardha (SBS),’ ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB),’ ‘Improving nutrition through mission Life,’ ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh (MMMD),’ ‘Tribal focused nutrition sensitisation,’ and ‘Test, Treat, Talk Anaemia.’
Important activities on the Poshan Maah would include intensive beneficiaries enrolment drive including Aadhaar verification and mobile verification of beneficiaries, release short animation on enrolment drive and importance of millet, pledge on Poshan, home visit to discuss on breastfeeding, awareness camp for pregnant women and lactating mothers, sensitisation of community leaders on SAM/MAM children, growth monitoring activities by the AWW, seminar on ECCE, demonstration of indigenous toys in AWC for the children and parents, sensitisation of tribal communities on millet and local food, local food show, anaemia screening and sensitisation camp for women, adolescent girls and children, cooking competition on locally available food and vegetables, nutria-garden, and awards to best performing field workers.
The converging departments in the state included departments of Social Welfare, Health and Family Welfare, RD-NSRLM, Horticulture, Ayush, Agriculture, general administration and School Education.
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