Mahila Shanti sena Demanding VIDHAYAK SANSAD NIDHI use in Children Issues

The issue of Malnutrition In Bargarh Bundelkhand

One in every three malnourished children in the world lives in India and 50 percent of all childhood deaths in India can be attributed to malnutrition. Malnutrition limits development and the capacity to learn among children. Over half of the children under the age of five years in India are moderately and seriously malnourished, 30 per cent of newborn children are significantly underweight and nearly 60 percent of women are anemic. The prevalence of malnutrition varies across states, with Madhya Pradesh recording the highest rate (55 per cent) and Kerala among the lowest (27 per cent). According to CCF-India AIMES reports, 57% under-5 children in the communities are malnourished.  In order to reduce malnutrition status among children in rural areas, there is a need for a multi-pronged approach to address the immediate and underlying causes of the problems. Issues like economic status, lack of accessibility of health services, food insecurity, and misconception related to food, poor hygienic practices, limited knowledge of parents in terms of child care especially about nutrition & management during illness need to be handled effectively. The nutrition program would need to be integrated with other health programs like RCH, HIV & AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Behavior change would be the focus for Nutrition NPP rather than food supplementation.  CCF-India has been successful in some communities in introducing a comprehensive BCC strategy through the PD Hearth approach and would expand the same to more project locations.

Felt challenges

Ø  Early marriage is still common in the area due to socio economic reasons. Mostly parents malnourished and not aware of need adequate nutritious intake during the pregnancy.

Ø  Average family size 6 to 7 in the target community and absence of gap and adequate care of children are severely malnourished.

Ø  Due to lack of knowledge and skill about the quality and quantity of balanced diet required for children as well as for pregnant women.

Ø  Poverty and lack of job opportunity decreased the health of pregnant women and lactating mother and children and they are not getting sufficient nutritive foods in their diet.

Ø  Lack of nutritive foods in the intervened area due to the stony land and fertile lands as well as scarcity of water.

Ø  Lack of proper care practice of the children.

Ø  ICDS Program is not active and the result women and children are not getting benefits of existing health services & schemes.

Ø  Community has lack of knowledge hygiene practices for preparing home-based formulas.

   Major Achievements by tribal women leaders

Ø  Conducted health education session in 18 revenue village including 40 hamlets and aware the community about the quality & quantity of balanced diet.

Ø  Aware the community components of nutritive foods in their local resources, quality, quantity and how to use for getting nutrients.

Ø  Necessary initiative has been taken for the community by the project to draw government facilities and services.

Ø  200 families trained with technique and provided support of seeds to develop kitchen garden near by the side of their houses and the result 200 families have successfully established kitchen garden and getting nutritive foods with family. 

Ø  150 more families inspired by the establishment of kitchen garden and benefits and the result of replication seen in same target community very shortly that they have their selves established kitchen garden near by the side of their houses and getting nutrients.

Ø  Training provided to 42 WSHG, PW & latching mothers.

Ø  PD HEARTH approaches have been initiated and conducted session in selected village.

Ø  1500 children provided de-worming under 05 two times during the year.

Ø  Counseling of pregnant women, lactating mother having severe malnourished children.