Traditional wisdom will highlighted in National Nutrition month
Nutrition solutions based on traditional healthcare wisdom will be an integral part of the Poshan Maah celebrations during the month of September 2020 with focus on promoting village level activities by roping in relevant stake-holders.
Launched by him on March 8, 2018, POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is the Prime Minister’s overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment. The program aims to increase focus on reducing the level of stunting, wasting, under-nutrition and low birth weight in children, anaemia in adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers as well as children.
This time-tested knowledge of all traditional medicine systems such Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani will be scientifically adapted to add value the POSHAN Abhiyaan effectively.
The role ear-marked for Ayush-based solutions in POSHAN Abhiyaan was mentioned in the joint communication sent to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs by the Secretaries of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Women & Child Development on September 7, 2020.
One important part of POSHAN Abhiyaan is the early identification of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). This is important for timely initiation of treatment and minimizing the risk of complications.
Therefore, during Rashtriya Poshan Maah this year, a drive for identification and treatment of children with SAM will be undertaken.