Zilla Parishad officials and elected representatives take responsibility for nutritional support, health monitoring and recovery of children identified with Severe Acute Malnutrition
Sindhudurg: The Sindhudurg Zilla Parishad has launched a special child-support initiative covering 22 children identified with Severe Acute Malnutrition, as part of its campaign to make the district free from malnutrition. Under the programme, administrative officers, elected representatives and Zilla Parishad members will take responsibility for ensuring that the children receive nutritional support, regular health examinations and continuous monitoring of their growth and recovery.
The initiative, described by the administration as a “Child Adoption Scheme,” has been launched under the leadership of Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Ravindra Khebudkar and Zilla Parishad President Pramod Kamat.
The term “adoption” in this context refers to institutional responsibility and individual monitoring of the children’s health and nutrition; it does not constitute legal adoption. The initiative gained momentum after former Union minister and BJP MP Narayan Rane raised concerns over malnutrition during a recent visit to the Zilla Parishad and urged the administration and elected representatives to work collectively to eliminate the problem. Sindhudurg Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane had also expressed concern over the issue.
Officials and Representatives Take Responsibility
Among those participating in the initiative are Zilla Parishad President Pramod Kamat, Vice-President Tukaram Sail, Abhiraj Rane, Women and Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Anuradha Narakar, Education and Health Committee Chairperson Pritesh Raool, Finance and Works Committee Chairperson Santosh Satavilkar and Social Welfare Committee Chairperson Ruhita Tambe.
Zilla Parishad member Keshav Narakar, Deepalakshmi Padte, Vaibhavwadi Group Development Officer Primesh Wagh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Jayprakash Parab, Additional Chief Executive Officer Sheetal Pund and Vaibhavwadi Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Siddhesh Ravarane are also associated with the programme. The children covered by the initiative are registered with Anganwadi centres in Sawantwadi, Kudal, Vaibhavwadi, Devgad, Kankavli, Kasal, Vengurla and other parts of the district. They will receive regular nutritional assistance, periodic health check-ups and close monitoring of their weight, height and overall development.
Focus on 376 Moderately Malnourished Children
Khebudkar said the district also has 376 children in the Moderate Acute Malnutrition category. Special efforts will be undertaken to prevent their condition from worsening and progressing into the Severe Acute Malnutrition category, he said. The CEO stressed that close coordination between the Health Department and the Women and Child Development Department would be essential to achieving the district’s malnutrition-free objective. Instructions have been issued to the heads of both departments to strengthen monitoring, nutritional intervention and follow-up care.
Zilla Parishad to Monitor Elderly People Living Alone
Khebudkar said the Zilla Parishad would also monitor the health and daily requirements of elderly men and women living alone. The decision was taken during a meeting convened by Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane. Zilla Parishad members will visit such residents, enquire about their well-being and verify whether they have access to medicines, ration supplies, medical treatment and transportation to hospitals. Health teams, ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers will assist in implementing the initiative.
District Exceeds Pulse Polio Target
Khebudkar also said Sindhudurg had exceeded its target under the National Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign. Against a target of 26,806 children, polio drops were administered to 27,968 children. The district established 904 vaccination centres and deployed 80 mobile teams and 43 transit teams for the campaign. A door-to-door follow-up exercise will be conducted for three days in rural areas and five days in urban areas to ensure that no child aged up to five years is left out. Special attention will be given to children from travelling families at bus stands, railway stations and other transit locations.
Greater Attention to Maternal Nutrition
The Health Department will also intensify its focus on the health and nutrition of pregnant women to reduce the risk of children being born undernourished. Doctors, nurses and other personnel at Primary Health Centres and Health Sub-Centres have been instructed to strengthen antenatal monitoring, nutritional counselling and healthcare support for expectant mothers.
