Maharashtra Government Unveils Suposhit Mumbai Abhiyan and Urban Child Development Initiative
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Synopsis
Maharashtra's Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare launched the Suposhit Mumbai Abhiyan and Urban Child Development Centre Scheme on March 18 to combat malnutrition among urban children, ensuring proper nutrition for mothers and children during critical development phases.
Key Takeaways
- Suposhit Mumbai Abhiyan launched for urban child welfare.
- Focus on nutrition from pregnancy to 1,000 days.
- Urban centres to address malnutrition and obesity.
- Expansion of Anganwadis needed in growing urban areas.
- Integrated approach to maternal and child health.
Mumbai, March 18 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare inaugurated the Suposhit Mumbai Abhiyan along with the Urban Child Development Centre Scheme aimed at assisting malnourished children in urban settings to achieve a healthy status.
These centres, set up as part of the Urban Child Development initiative, are expected to significantly aid in providing essential nutrition for mothers and children from the stage of pregnancy through the critical first 1,000 days of life, she mentioned.
The launch of the Suposhit Mumbai Abhiyan and Urban Child Development Centre Scheme took place at Anganwadi No 51, located in Colaba.
During her speech, she underscored the necessity of adequate nutrition for both mothers and children.
The minister noted that since 2018, the Village Child Development Center Scheme has been operational in rural and tribal Anganwadi centres, successfully helping malnourished children return to a healthy status. This scheme has positively influenced children's health by providing them with appropriate nutrition during their early years.
Building on this successful framework, the Suposhit Mumbai Abhiyan and Urban Child Development Center Scheme aim to lower the malnutrition rates of children in Mumbai and its suburbs.
She further pointed out that the initial 1,000 days are vital for both the physical and cognitive growth of a child, making it essential for mothers and children to receive adequate nutrition during this timeframe. These Urban Child Development Centres will also offer guidance to tackle both malnutrition and obesity in children, she added.
The minister emphasized the necessity of increasing the number of Anganwadis in urban environments to match the rising population, ensuring no child misses out on the benefits of these newly introduced schemes.
She instructed relevant officials to focus on effective planning and execution of these initiatives.
The Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) Commissioner Kailas Pagare provided insights into strategies to mitigate malnutrition and ensure a proper diet for mothers and children during pregnancy and the first two years of life.
