Measures to tackle malnutrition among children in Tiruchi

Representational image.
| Photo Credit: THE HINDU

The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has initiated measures to combat malnutrition among children in Tiruchi.

They have embarked on providing nutritional kits, regular health check-ups, immunization, referral services for critical cases, and promoting breastfeeding to support the overall health and well-being of children between zero months and six years old and pregnant and lactating mothers.

In Tiruchi district, around 1.65 lakh children are enrolled in 1,850 anganwadi centres. Malnourished lactating mothers and infants in the district have been identified, and beneficiaries are been given nutritional kits through anganwadi centres.

Around 676 infants aged 0-6 months have been identified as acutely malnourished, while 1,352 are classified as slightly malnourished. Nutrition boxes are being distributed to these children.

Similarly, nutritional kits containing mother’s health mix, iron and folic acid syrup, among other items, are to be provided to mothers of these malnourished children in the age group of zero to six months. Kits for expectant mothers are also being provided.

Meanwhile, initiatives to enumerate malnourished children under the six months to six years category are under way. “The children are being measured for height and weight regularly, and based on the analysis, the team would provide children with nutritional kits, and those who need medical intervention would be referred to doctors,” said an official.

The ICDS team is also engaged in identifying and addressing cases of severe malnutrition through early intervention programs. The mothers are being educated about nutrition awareness, the use of millet, importance of breastfeeding to tackle malnutrition.