Thiruvananthapuram: Nutrition monitoring to be launched in anganwadis

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of Poshan Abhiyaan initiative - which aims at bringing down malnutrition, stunting and wasting among children - the state government is all set to launch a nutrition monitoring programme at Anganwadis across the state.

The initiative - Sampushta Keralam - would enable the authorities to monitor real-time data of beneficiaries of all Anganwadi Centres in the state.

Also, the authorities have taken steps to make available milk fortified with Vitamin A and D for children at Anganwadi centres.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union minister for women and child development Smriti Irani would take part in the state-wide launch of the initiative to be held on Thursday.

According to a survey, in Kerala, around 19.7 per cent children under five years of age are stunted, 15.7 per cent do not weigh for the height, and 35.6 per cent are anaemic.

An official said that the online application would ensure the regular and real-time monitoring of their growth.  
Infantometer, stadiometer, infant weighing scales and adult weighing scales would be distributed for Anganwadi centres to monitor the height and weight of children and mothers. The authorities are also planning to provide antenatal and postnatal care for mothers as part of the initiative.

"Milma has launched fortified milk, and we have launched it in four districts on a pilot basis. Local bodies would be able to introduce fortified milk at all Anganwadi centres across the state," said the official.