Goa's Poshan Tracker App Identifies 701 Malnourished Children in 2023-24
Panaji witnessed a significant development in child nutrition efforts. The Poshan Tracker application, under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), identified at least 701 malnourished children during the 2023-24 period. This mobile tool, initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, played a crucial role in enabling targeted interventions.
Targeted Interventions and Nutritional Support
Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane provided these details in response to an unstarred LAQ raised by AAP MLA Venzy Viegas. The department is actively implementing measures for treatment and nutritional support. For children aged six months to three years, the support includes rice porridge instant mix, millet porridge, rawa upma, and multi grain mix.
Children in the three to six years age group receive hot cooked meals. These meals consist of soya chunk pulao, sweet idli, pulses usal, rawa shira, and groundnut chikki. The department tailors these offerings based on children's or parents' demands, alongside weekly menus.
Healthcare Referrals and Supervisory Visits
Each child identified with malnutrition receives a referral to the nearest healthcare centre for treatment. ICDS functionaries conduct frequent supervisory visits to anganwadi centres and the homes of children in severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition categories.
The department allocated Rs 23.6 crore for the supplementary nutrition program. This program includes take-home ration and hot cooked meals components.
Infrastructure and Additional Initiatives
Goa currently operates 1,262 anganwadi centres. Trained staff at these centres provide meals to children. Some centres feature nutri gardens to promote access to local vegetables and enhance dietary diversity.
The department also planned various activities to address malnutrition. These initiatives include Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada campaigns.
The Poshan Tracker application specifically helps identify stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence among children. Its implementation marks a proactive step in monitoring and improving child health outcomes across the state.
