In a bid to improve the nutritional status of children, adolescent girls and women in the State, Haryana Government has implemented the State Nutrition Policy for women and children.
Haryana Women and Child Development Minister, Geeta Bhukkal said that the aim of implementing this Policy is to develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated and multi-sectoral strategy based on an inter-sectoral approach. The State Nutrition Policy would be both the guiding force and the framework for implementation of multi-sectoral strategy to achieve the nutrition goals.
The Minister said that the goals of the State Nutrition Policy to be achieved by end of 12th plan would be reducing the number of moderately underweight children of 0 to 5 years of age by 10 percent over 5 years, reducing the number of severely underweight children in the age group 0 to 5 years by 50 per cent and reduction in incidence of low birth weight by 10 per cent.
Similarly, elimination of blindness due to vitamin ‘A’ deficiency and reduction in bitotspotin children and reduction in Iron deficiency anaemia among women, pregnant women and children by 20 per cent. She said that a State Nutrition Council would be constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister and Ministers of Departments and experts as member to coordinate guide and review the implementation of State Nutrition Policy.
Also, a State Executive Committee of State Nutrition Council under chairmanship of Chief Secretary would be constituted to coordinate and guide for preparation of State Nutrition Plan and District Nutrition Plan. Similarly, State Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development Department would monitor the sectoral plans of the Department. District-level nutrition committees would be formed to prepare and implement district action plan.