National Nutrition Strategy: The Needed Timely Modification to Make Integrated Child Development Scheme More Effective

Abstract

India is undergoing not only economic, demographic and nutritional transformational change but also indicators of health are improving remarkably. But, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is striving hard to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0–6 y even after 4 decades of its implementation, so there is a need to reconsider strategies to bring desired improvement in children’s health. For better governance in the delivery of the Scheme, convergence is one of the key features of the ICDS Scheme for providing all services under the Scheme. The National Nutrition Strategy (NNS) has been launched, which reflects renewed focus on nutrition and it lays down a roadmap for effective action, among both implementers and practitioners in achieving our nutritional objectives. The NNS framework envisages a KuposhanMukt Bharat- linked to Swachh Bharat and Swasth Bharat. Specific nutritional interventions under KuposhanMukt Bharat are Infant and Young Child care and Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Health, Maternal Care, Nutrition and Health, Adolescent Care, Nutrition and Health, addressing micronutrient deficiencies–including anemia and Community nutrition. All districts having high burden of malnutrition will be targeted, and the nutritional status will be measured through a real time ICT enabled system by providing smart phone to Anganwadi workers (AWW). Newer interventions included are eliminating of registers used by AWWs, measurement of height of children at the Anganwadi centres (AWCs), social audits and setting-up Nutrition Resource Centres, involving masses through Jan Andolan for their participation on nutrition through various activities, among others.