Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, DNH & DD

About Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, DNH & DD

Run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, “Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0” works to tackle malnutrition, improve nutritional outcomes, give nutritional support and strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers. The services delivered include supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-up, referral services and nutritional support. They reach children below 6 years of age, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), and Adolescent Girls aged 14-18 years in Aspirational Districts and in all districts of the North East Region. Policy and planning support comes from the Central Government, whereas State Governments handle the day-to-day running of the programme. > Types of Malnutrition:

Wasting: weight that is low for height – Stunting: height that is low for age – Underweight: weight that is low for age – Overweight/Obesity: extra fat caused by diet/lifestyle > Major Causes of Malnutrition:

• Malnutrition in the mother (Underage/Underweight/Low birth weight baby)
• Poor spacing between births (Multiple pregnancies)
• A diet without diversity that does not supply adequate nutrition
• Long gaps between meals and low meal frequency, with children eating only 2-3 meals per day
• Complementary feeding not given according to age criteria
• Exclusive breastfeeding suffers when the mother goes out to work at a factory/farm
• Poor hygiene practice
• Unsuitable cooking methods and eating habits

Awareness and Education:

• Poshan ke 5 Sutra: key to brain development and to health over the long term.
• The first 1000 golden days
• A diet rich in nutrition
• Managing anemia
• Preventing diarrhoea
• Sanitation

1. Anganwadi Centres (AWCs):

• There are 300 AWCs in DNH, 50 in Daman & 29 in Diu.
• Centres function from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
• The AWCs are attended by children aged 3- 6 years.
• Learning in the early years happens through a play-based curriculum.
• Children are taught hygiene habits such as handwashing, bathing, brushing teeth and putting on clean clothes.
• Besides the meals served at the Anganwadi Centre, a child should get 3 to 4 nutritious meals at home each day.
• Supplementary Nutrition: Take-Home Ration (THR) goes to children <3 years and to pregnant/lactating mothers.
• Healthy Environment: a safe, loving and stimulating setting is created to support the child’s physical growth and mental development.
• Mothers and caregivers are educated about food, hygiene and breastfeeding.
• Immunization: ASHA and ANM are supported in making sure children are vaccinated.
• Growth Monitoring: height and weight are tracked every month.
• Under the Anganwadi Health Programme, every child gets Health Check-ups and Referrals.

2. Pregnant Women:

• They are registered at AWCs/Health Centre.
• MCP Card: the schedule is followed and progress is monitored.
• ANCS: a minimum of 3, covering BP, blood and urine checks,/ Anaemia.
• IFA tablets and immunisations (Tetanus) are given, and weight gain is tracked.
• Mothers should rest, stay away from heavy work and keep up hygiene.
• Iodised salt should be used.
• Weight gain during pregnancy should be at least 10-12 kg in total, with a rise of at least 1 kg per month over the last 6 months of pregnancy.
• Tetanus Toxoid immunisation and deworming should be done on time
• Diet: a range of nutritious foods, including fresh locally available green leafy vegetables (Methi, palak, Vada Bhaji, Moringa leaves, Cucumber, Bitter gourd, bottle gourd, etc.), fruits (Banana, Guava, Papaya, Mango, Chickoo, Jack fruit, Amla, Lemon, etc.), milk and milk products, pulses, cereals, millets, etc. Non-vegetarian households should take a source of high-quality protein, Vitamin A and Vitamin D. At least 4 meals should be eaten a day
• Institutional delivery is encouraged.

Activity:

• Recipes are demonstrated at the Anganwadi Centre with locally available resources.
• Nutri-gardens are promoted at Anganwadi Centres/Households wherever space allows.
• Events in the community such as God Bharai and Suposhan Diwas.

3. Lactating Mothers:

• Breastfeeding should start early (the first feed within two hours of birth), with Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.
• After 6 months, Complementary Feeding begins.
• Begin with soft, well- cooked, mashed foods such as Semi-solid khichdi, Dal, Millets and Rab.
• Green and yellow orange vegetables and fruits, mashed
• Keep up hygiene and carry on breastfeeding
• The child’s growth is monitored monthly at the Anganwadi centre, with Immunisation following the MCP Card
• If the child has any health issue, the nearest Health centre/Anganwadi worker should be contacted
• Keep the home hygienic
• Promote washing hands before cooking and before feeding a child, and washing vegetables and fruits before eating them.
• The Take-home ration (THR) supplied to mother and child is meant to be eaten by the beneficiary alone.

Activity:

• Demonstrations on preparing complementary food and feeding
• Celebrations of Annaprashan Divas; Suposhan Divas; Poshan Mein Sudhar.