Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission (JSNM) in association with DigitalGREEN launched the programme for improved nutrition through effective use of information and communication technology (ICT) platforms and bringing about convergence in the activities of various stakeholders engaged in promoting nutrition in Jharkhand.
On the occasion, experts also explored on how different digital platforms complement the DigitalGreen approach to increase nutritional behaviours across the State. To tackle one of the most pivotal problems of malnutrition, Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission in collaboration with USAID and DigitalGREEN organised a workshop on promoting nutrition through digital platforms on Monday.
Notably, irrespective of several Government schemes to tackle the menace, districts like Godda, Chatra, West Singhbhum, Dhanbad, Giridih and Gumla have registered maximum cases of malnutrition. Approximately, 3.7 per cent children between the age group 5 to 7 years are malnourished.
Nevertheless, the State Government to tackle the present situation effectively has collaborated with different organisations and are also imparting training among the health workers to educate the masses along with carrying active screening and preparing the data base of all malnourished children.
“As many as 87 Malnutrition Treatment Centres (MTCs) are actively working in different districts. All high burden districts are under the scanner, the State Government has already initiated the work towards this and through skilled resource persons, the department now is preparing the data base of all the beneficiaries to actively monitor them with not just to provide all facilities but also to keep strict vigilance upon the status of the beneficiaries. Within 10 years, the State Government will be able to curb malnutrition. ‘Poshan Sakhi’ has been appointed to provide counseling to the people. Soon new data will be available,” said, Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission (JSNM), Director General, Mridula Sinha.
Experts from london School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) and prominent officials from donors such as USAID, UNICEF including the development partners from BBC Media Action, Dimagi, Gramvaani, Awaaz.De participated in the panel discussion catering to the social and behavioral challenges in promoting nutrition in the state and also emphasised on the new media technology for promoting nutritional behaviours including how one can complement each other in order to target maximum beneficiaries.
Senior officials from Jharkhand State livelihood Promotion Society (JSlPS), Women and Child development, Information Technology department, Personnel from Department of Industries government of Jharkhand highlighted on various facets of digitalisation in promoting nutrition across the State.