Gujarat Women and Child Development Minister Dr Manisha Vakil on 10 August directed state officials to maintain continuous follow-up of malnourished children until full recovery, while announcing the rollout of 'Poshan Sangam Health Camps' and a major expansion of child-friendly Anganwadi centres across Gujarat. The directives were issued at a one-day state-level workshop held in Gandhinagar.

Key Directives from the Workshop

Dr Vakil made clear that medical examinations and medicine distribution alone would not suffice. Officials were instructed to track every malnourished child individually until they achieve healthy nutritional status. 'Poshan Sangam Health Camps' will be organised at the Anganwadi level specifically for such children, with the Health Department and Women and Child Development Department working in tandem.

The minister also directed that parents be actively contacted and given appropriate nutritional guidance — placing community engagement at the centre of the recovery framework.

What the New Anganwadis Will Look Like

More than 3,300 new Anganwadis are being developed through a joint effort of the Women and Child Development Department and the Roads and Buildings Department. Each centre will range between 600 and 900 square feet, designed to be safe, stimulating, and environmentally protective.

An additional 1,507 Anganwadis, for which tenders have already been floated by the Roads and Buildings Department, are currently under construction. Experts from IIT Gandhinagar have been engaged to support quality and technically sound construction, while UNICEF presented type designs and 3D layouts for smart, child-friendly centres at the workshop.

'An Anganwadi is not merely a centre for providing nutrition, but the first step towards the holistic development of children and a true temple of education,' Dr Vakil said.

Training and Modern Teaching Methods

Dr Vakil directed that Anganwadi workers and helpers be trained in modern teaching methods and innovative activities including floor games, drawing, and children's songs — reflecting the emphasis on the first six years of a child's development as a critical window. 'The Anganwadi environment should encourage play and activity,' she said.

Coordination on Mamta Day and ICDS Framework

The minister called for streamlined arrangements on 'Mamta Day', enabling ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers to coordinate weighing, height measurement, and vaccination of pregnant women, adolescent girls, and children at a single location.

Women and Child Development Department Secretary Dr Rakesh Shankar outlined the department's ongoing work, noting that the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Roads and Buildings Department had established productive cooperation for structural development. He reaffirmed the department's commitment to the 'Smart Anganwadi' vision through third-party inspections and adherence to quality standards.

Outstanding Anganwadi sector workers were presented certificates of appreciation at the workshop, which was attended by senior officials from both departments, district-level engineers, programme officers, and representatives from IIT Gandhinagar and UNICEF.

With construction timelines now being tracked and expert oversight in place, the state's next milestone will be the operational launch of the Poshan Sangam Health Camps and the completion of the first tranche of new Anganwadis.