It is an exemplary example for the country wherein Chhattisgarh State has linked awareness message of nutrition with local festivals, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
He was interacting with ASHA, ANM, Anganwadi workers and Mitanins of Raipur and Rajnandgaon districts through video bridge .
“Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak had started the ‘Ganeshotsav’ to spread message and in Chhattisgarh also, through ‘Kamarchatt,’ the message of nutrition for children and through ‘Rakshabandhan’ festival ‘Poshan Raksha Sutra’ drive which is being organised is undoubtedly a unique effort,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also had discussion on topics of nutrition drive implementation, experience and challenges and also took some of their suggestions.
Keja Chandrakar, an Anganwadi worker from Khauni village in Raipur district’s Arang block and Anganbadi worker Keja Chandrakar, ANM Urmila Dewangan and Mitanin Devki Yadav informed the Prime Minister that for implementation of National Nutrition drive (POSHAN Abhiyan) they have been given smart phone and it has Common Applied Applications which is assisting in the reduction of malnutrition.
Keja Chandrakar said that regarding pregnant mothers and children, they have to maintain and fill 11 different types of registers at Anganbadi centres. They were also facing problem for calculating weight of children after taking it and then making the nutritional level graph. But with Smart phone and application, it has become quite easy.
Once the weight of child is filled in application, immediately their nutritional level is known. It also tells as to where and when the child has to be met at their home and which child has to be sent to nutritional rehabilitation centre, she informed.
Earlier, during visit to the houses, verbal information was being collected but now mobile phone is taken along and data is fed instantly and that also before the parents, Chandrakar said.
The Prime Minister said the team of three As the ASHA worker, Anganwadi worker, ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) and Mitanin are leading grass-roots soldiers of national building.
During interaction he said, “You all are in sector of health and well-being and are working with technology which is further strengthening and playing key role in ‘Digital India’ drive and I salute you all.”
Highlighting the National Nutrition Mission, the Prime Minister said that ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ launched from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, targets reduction in incidence of stunting, anaemia, malnutrition and low birth weight and added that it is essential to involve maximum women and children with this movement.
He said that the Government has focussed on aspects relating to nutrition and quality healthcare. Vaccination efforts are progressing at a quick pace, helping women and children in particular.
During the interaction, Prime Minister urged to spread further information about 'Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan'.
The Prime Minister also acclaimed the success of Newborn care, which benefits 1.25 million children of the country every year. It has been renamed as Home based child care under which the ASHA worker will visit 11 times in first 15 month in place of earlier 6 visits in first 42 days of birth.
The Prime Minister also announced significant increase in the honorarium given to Anganwadi workers. Those receiving Rs 3000 so far, would now receive Rs 4500. Similarly those receiving Rs 2200, would now get Rs 3500. The honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has also been increased from Rs 1500 to Rs 2250.