Mangaluru: In a collaborative effort, the health and family welfare department and the women and child development department have initiated the Health and Nutrition Survey throughout the state of Karnataka.
This joint survey, using the mobile application, is the first of its kind and aims to gather crucial data to aid in the formulation of targeted health and welfare programmes.
Unlike previous surveys conducted manually by the health department, which took around 4-5 months to complete, this year the government has adopted a more efficient approach. Surveyors have been equipped with a mobile app to expedite data collection, enabling them to complete the survey within a month while maintaining accuracy.
Building on the success of a pilot project conducted in Srirangapatna Taluk of Mandya district from December to January, the government decided to scale up the survey to cover the entire state. The task of data collection has been entrusted to a dedicated team of surveyors, comprising approximately 64,000 Anganwadi Workers and 42,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) have been deployed across the state. The survey will be held for one month- till June 30.
Working in close coordination with Primary Health Care Officers and Community Health Officers, these surveyors visit households in both rural and urban areas to gather vital information.
Special attention is given to surveying slums in urban areas, and data is also collected from migrant laborers who have resided in the state for more than six months.
Officials have highlighted key areas of focus for data collection, which encompass Child Growth and Health Status, malnutrition details, anemia in pregnant women, high-risk pregnancies, family planning methods, hereditary diseases, and mental health. This valuable information will enable authorities to identify areas with health deficiencies and allocate resources accordingly.
The survey will facilitate the provision of supplementary food to address cases of malnutrition and anaemia. By gathering information on anaemia, the survey will also play a crucial role in formulating comprehensive plans to combat this health issue. Additionally, the survey aims to eradicate the problem of malnutrition among adolescent children.
Detailed information on malnutrition, categorized by district and taluk, will provide a comprehensive overview of the state's healthcare landscape. This data will serve as a foundation for planning and implementing government schemes, as well as identifying beneficiaries who need assistance.
The survey was supposed to be held in March-April but was postponed due to the assembly election.
In some districts the survey work is moving at snail's pace as ASHA workers have expressed some difficulties.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured to look into their problem and ensure that the survey work is completed by the deadline.
