Sabarkantha, Gujarat, Feb 25 (NationPress) — A significant district-level nutrition program in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district has documented positive advancements in maternal health and birth weights following a year of focused assistance for underweight pregnant women.

The initiative, known as the “Lalan Palan” project, was initiated by the Sabarkantha District Panchayat in partnership with the Health Department, as part of the Gujarat government's campaign to combat malnutrition.

This scheme offers free nutritional kits biweekly to pregnant women who weigh less than 42 kg.

Health authorities reported that evaluations in the area revealed numerous expecting mothers had haemoglobin levels below six, indicating deficiencies in iron and iodine.

Insufficient maternal nutrition correlates with low birth weight, malnourished infants, and, in some cases, maternal fatalities during childbirth.

Eligible women participating in the project receive a kit delivered to their homes, which includes chickpeas, dates, protein powder, and iron syrup.

Since its inception a year ago, the scheme has benefited over 2,200 women, with a total expenditure of Rs 14 lakh on the initiative, bolstered by support from a private firm.

Dr. Harshad Vora, the District Health Officer of Sabarkantha, stated that the project aims to lower the maternal mortality rate.

“Numerous expectant mothers in Sabarkantha district have haemoglobin levels lower than six. In collaboration with the Health Department, we supply these women with multivitamins, coconut, iron syrup, jaggery, and peanuts,” he explained.

He also noted that babies born within the scheme over the past year have consistently weighed more than 2.5 kg. “Malnutrition isn’t merely about insufficient food intake but rather improper dietary habits. Many children lack adequate nutritious food, contributing to malnutrition,” he added.

Happyben Parmar, a health worker in the Chapariya region of Himmatnagar, mentioned that she manages 70 to 80 antenatal cases, with six of these being beneficiaries of the scheme.

“Women under 42 kg receive a care kit containing dates, chickpeas, iron syrup, and protein powder. They regularly consume two spoons of protein powder and 7.5 ml of iron syrup. When hungry, they consume dates and chickpeas,” she shared.

Parmar reported that those receiving assistance have shown notable improvements in weight, strength, and haemoglobin levels.

Aartiben Makwana, a seven-month pregnant resident of Chapariya, expressed how the support has positively influenced her health. “I receive a kit with iron syrup, protein powder, chickpeas, and dates. My weight has increased from 42 kg to 55 kg,” she stated.

Officials also mentioned a related initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition among adolescent girls, which was introduced earlier as a preventive strategy.

The outcomes of the Lalan Palan project suggest that continuous nutritional support can lead to enhanced maternal health and more favorable birth outcomes.