Women Child Development and Social Security Department, Jharkhand Government is committed to make Jharkhand malnutrition free. Various steps are being taken by the department in this direction. The government is providing supplementary nutrition to about 11 lakh beneficiaries every month through 38523 Anganwadi centers. Under this, hot food is served daily for children between 3 to 6 years at all Anganwadi centres and the state government has added eggs to it by giving additional amount from its side so that all our children get complete nutrition. Along with this, Micronutrient Fortified Energy Dense Food (Take Home Ration) is also being provided regularly to improve the nutrition level of the targeted beneficiaries.
To improve the condition of malnutrition, a pilot is being conducted to eliminate malnutrition and make children well-nourished by enhancing the THR currently being given to extremely malnourished children (6 months to 6 years), providing Shishu Shakti rich in more calories, protein and micronutrients. Shishu Shakti has been specially formulated to provide the right amount of food according to the age of severely malnourished children.
Under the recommendation made by the THR Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Director General, Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission, regarding Shishu Shakti, specially protein and calorie rich for malnourished children, and with the technical support of UNICEF and State centre of excellence-RIMS, before implementing this Shishu Shakti enriched THR across the state, it is being used on an experimental basis in Chakradharpur block of West Singhbhum under the guidance of Director, Social Welfare. The auspicious inauguration of this pilot study is being done by the hands of MP Joba Manjhi on January 18.
For the health and overall development of children, the department is providing all the necessary services to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children of 0-6 years along with regular growth monitoring of all children. It is promoting key nutrition behaviours among the community. They are being linked with various government schemes like providing more breast feeding, supplementary food, vaccination along with regular counselling.
Based on the results of this pilot study, it will be considered to be implemented in the entire State. The aim of this pilot study is to bring malnourished children into the category of well-nourished children and fulfill the resolution of the honourable Chief Minister of a malnutrition-free Jharkhand.