Bhopal: Special efforts are being made to ensure participation of community and family on a serious subject like malnutrition to realize the concept of a well-nourished state. Under this, the families of children falling under the category of severely malnourished under the “Poshit Parivar- Suposhit Madhya Pradesh” programme will be encouraged and honoured for the improvement in the nutrition level of their children through their active efforts. Principal Secretary, Women –Child Development Shri Ashok Shah apprised all district collectors in this connection through a letter.
This incentive amount of Rs 400 will be given to a family at the rate of Rs 200 per installment in two installments. Under this, there are two provisions. In the first provision, the first installment of incentive will be payable to those registered very severely malnourished children who have fallen from the category of very severe malnutrition to the level of moderately severe malnutrition. In the second provision, the second installment amount will also be payable to such families of those registered very severely malnourished children who have come under the category of moderate to severe malnutrition in the C-SAM programme have fallen into the category of normal nutrition level. In addition, other child-related health services such as compliance with the immunization schedule according to the child’s age, assessment will be done of introduction of solid food after 6 months of age of children in the 6 months to 2 years age group, whether the level of the child’s solid food diet is regular and as per the prescribed standards and the level of health and nutrition practices or education adopted by the family.
At present, community based nutrition management program of very severely malnourished children is being conducted in all districts of the state. Under this, after the severely malnourished children are identified and registered, they are brought to normal nutrition level after continuous efforts for 12 weeks or 3 months. Meanwhile, efforts are made to improve the nutritional and health status of children by counseling the children’s families. Families whose efforts are showing changes in the nutrition level of the most severely malnourished children will be honoured under the “Poshit Parivar- Suposhit Madhya Pradesh”.