The month-long Rashtriya Poshan Maah organized by the office of the District Programme Officer, ICDS (Cell), East Jaintia Hills District in collaboration with various line departments of the district concluded today.
A closing programme was held at Jalaphet Bri- Sutnga community hall under the theme “Mahila Aur Swasthiya” and “Baccha Aur Shiksha”.
Deputy Commissioner, A. Baranwal congratulated the ICDS team for the successful completion of all activities and programmes. He said the role of the anganwadi workers is to ensure nutritional and pre-school education for children, provide ration to pregnant and lactating mothers, organise VHNDs, and facilitate immunization etc.
He also urged the village committee and local headman to visit the Anganwadi centres regularly so as to ensure that all facilities provided at the centres are available and well maintained.
The Deputy Commissioner also informed learning kits, and elementary education kits have been distributed to 50 selected Anganwadi centres in the district and Model Anganwadi centres will also be created from these selected Anganwadi centers based on the performance.
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in charge, D. Iakai in her speech said that the focus of the nutrition programme is to reduce the level of stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, wasting and to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under 6 years of age. She also spoke about exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, complementary foods, and organic kitchen garden.
Speeches on the importance of healthcare, nutrition, physical health, and mental health of women and children were also given by Dr. Dominic Shylla, District Medical and Health Officer, M. J. Shylla, District Agriculture Officer and T. Kyndiah, District Child Protection Officer respectively.
Awards were also handed over to women who are regular for their ANC check-ups and immunization and regular visit to Anganwadi Centres (AWC) and to children who attended regular pre- school and regular growth monitoring at the AWC at the programme.
