Bridging the malnutrition gap, the Bemetara way

Source: The post is based on the article “Bridging the malnutrition gap, the Bemetara way” published in “The Hindu” on 7th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Governance- Welfare scheme for vulnerable section & issue relating to development and management of social sector/services related to health.

News: The article talks about the significance of nutrition counseling and monitoring in India, showcasing the success of the “Potth Laika Abhiyaan” program in Bemetara, Chhattisgarh. This program substantially decreased malnutrition rates in specific children within nine months.

Why is nutrition security still a challenge?

Government Initiatives: Despite measures like mid-day-meals, the Public Distribution System, and POSHAN Abhiyaan, malnutrition persists.

Knowledge Gap: Many individuals lack the correct knowledge about proper eating and feeding practices.

Myths and Misconceptions: Misbeliefs about food, combined with increased access to highly processed foods, hinder proper nutrition.

Inconsistent Counseling: While various awareness programs exist, nutrition counseling hasn’t been uniformly implemented across states.

What’s happening in Bemetara?

Unexpected Malnutrition Levels: Despite its agricultural richness and relative affluence, Bemetara has a high number of Severe Acute Malnutritioned (SAM) children. As of December 2022, there were 3,299 SAM children, a figure mirroring that of Naxal-affected areas like Bastar.

Core Issue: The primary problem isn’t a lack of food access but insufficient knowledge about proper feeding practices.

Potth Laika Abhiyaan Introduction: This is a nutrition counseling program in place in 72 of the most affected Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) within Bemetara. It operates with technical support from UNICEF, Chhattisgarh.It involves teaching parents about balanced diets, handwashing, and dispelling myths, and local leaders take part while home visits track children’s progress.

Program Details: Ground staff from Health and Women and Child Development departments provide nutrition counseling. Every Friday, parents of SAM and Medium Acute Malnutritioned (MAM) children receive guidance in local language. They learn about balanced diets, the importance of handwashing, and are corrected on food-related myths.

Community Involvement: Local leaders, including sarpanchs and religious heads, have taken part in these counseling sessions. There are also door-to-door visits to monitor the progress of targeted children.

Significant Outcomes: Due to this approach, Within nine months, from December 2022 to July 2023 , 53.77% of targeted children improved their nutritional status.

What should be done to ensure nutrition security in India?

Expand Nutrition Counselling: Given the success in Bemetara, nutrition counselling needs to be consistently implemented across all states.

Uniform Implementation: States should uniformly institutionalize and implement nutrition awareness and counselling.

Training Field Staff: Proper training in nutritional counselling is essential for field staff to effectively guide communities.

Robust Monitoring: Alongside counselling, regular monitoring of children’s nutrition status is crucial.

Replicate Successful Models: Programs like Potth Laika Abhiyaan, which brought significant improvements in Bemetara, should be replicated in other districts and states.

Address Myths: Awareness campaigns should target and dispel dietary myths and misconceptions.