Unicef representative for India louis-Georges Arsenault on Thursday met Chief Minister Hemant Soren at the Project building in Ranchi and lauded the State for introducing ‘Jeevan Asha’ programme for addressing severe acute malnutrition.
During his meeting with the CM, Arsenault also highlighted the importance of nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, addressing anemia in women & adolescent girls, sanitation & hygiene and the elimination of child marriage in Jharkhand.
“These are interlinked to contribute to the health & survival of children in Jharkhand,” said Arsenault.
According to the statistics provided by Unicef, anemia among women and adolescent girls in Jharkhand is highest in the country. About 70% of women and 67% of adolescent girls are anemic in the state.
Iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls and pregnant women is a major cause of maternal death and low birth weight babies which leads to under-nutrition and growth deficit in children.
In Jharkhand, about half (47.2%) of the children under 3 years are stunted, one-third (35.8%) children are wasted and about 55% children under three years are under-weight(NFHS-3). The prevalence of Initial breast-feeding practice within one hour (38% as per AHS 2011) and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child’s life (46% as per AHS 2011) is poor in the state.
“There are certain misplaced beliefs and practices around breastfeeding in the family and community, which lead to sub-optimal breastfeeding practices,” said Arsenault.
Arsenault reaffirmed strong partnership between UNICEF and the Government of Jharkhand and ensured the realization of rights of all children.
Jharkhand government had launched ‘Jeevan Asha’ (Hope for life) Programme, first of its kind in India on community based management of severe acute malnutrition aiming to establish community based management of severe and acute malnutrition.
The country’s only such programme is designed pinpoint Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) affected children below five years of age. It focuses on establishing a continuum of care for preventing and treating SAM.
Besides, it will promote infant and young child feeding practices.