(a) whether the Government has formulated any plan to tackle the problem of severe acute malnutrition under its PoshanAbhiyan in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for manufacturing of ready to use therapeutic foods as well as to develop new products to implement feeding protocol under the said scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to(c): Government has taken several measures to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition. Steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing in accredited labs, strengthen delivery and leverage technology to improve governance. States/UTs have been advised to ensure that the quality of supplementary nutrition conforms to prescribed standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made there under and promote use of AYUSH systems for prevention of malnutrition and related diseases.
A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi centres to meet dietary diversity gap by leveraging traditional knowledge in nutritional practices has also been taken up. Local affordable recipes are given to beneficiaries. Therapeutic food is not allowed.
Reviews by Chief Medical Officer especially with regards to severely malnourished children (SAM) for their identification and treatment have brought down SAM numbers. States have been advised to launch a drive for identification of SAM children for referral to hospitals (if required) and AYUSH centres in accordance with detailed action plan to be finalized in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer.
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