Nationwide Push for Nutrition: Poshan Maah's Extensive Impact

The central government's 'Poshan Maah' campaign saw significant participation, holding over 1.88 crore events focused on anaemia prevention, child nutrition, and environmental protection. Key initiatives included complementary feeding, growth monitoring, and the integration of education with nutrition. The campaign leveraged technology for better execution and emphasized sustainable practices.

The central government announced on Thursday that this year's 'Poshan Maah' campaign experienced extensive participation, with over 1.88 crore events centered around anaemia prevention.

According to a Women and Child Development ministry statement, the campaign focused on growth monitoring through the vast number of events, ensuring early detection of stunting, wasting, and undernutrition. The use of the Poshan Tracker, a digital tool, facilitated timely interventions for malnutrition cases.

A notable feature of this year's initiative was the spotlight on complementary feeding for children aged six months to two years, with 1.45 crore activities directed at providing essential nutrition at a critical developmental stage. Integration of education and nutrition under the 'Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi' initiative accounted for 1.59 crore activities, aiming for a holistic approach to child development. Technology was a key player, with 1.08 crore activities using digital platforms to improve governance and monitoring of nutritional schemes efficiently.

Reflecting the connection between a healthy environment and good nutrition, 73.20 lakh activities targeted environmental protection, and 92.72 lakh activities promoted healthy eating and dietary diversity. Mass sensitisation played a vital role, with 54.25 lakh activities aimed at community-wide awareness and long-term behavioral change. The multi-faceted 'Poshan Maah 2024' initiative not only tackled immediate nutritional issues but also laid a foundation for enduring well-being through a blend of education, technology, and environmental stewardship.

(With inputs from agencies.)