PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan, also known as the Prime Minister’s Nutrition Strengthening Mission, is a flagship program launched by the Government of India. The program aims to address malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers and improve their health and nutritional status.
Malnutrition is a significant public health challenge in India, with over 38% of children under five suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition not only affects the physical and mental development of children but also impacts their long-term health and productivity. Pregnant women and lactating mothers who are malnourished are more likely to have low birth weight babies and face an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.
What is PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan
The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan is a comprehensive program that covers a range of interventions, such as the provision of supplementary nutrition, promotion of breastfeeding and complementary feeding, fortification of food, and strengthening of health systems for maternal and child care. The program also focuses on improving the availability and accessibility of nutritious food to the target population and promoting the consumption of locally available healthy foods.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, in collaboration with other relevant ministries and departments, are implementing the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan. The program has a budget of Rs. 3700 crores for 2020-2021 and is being implemented in 150 high-burden districts across the country. The program targets to reach over nine crore people, including 3.5 crore pregnant women and lactating mothers and 5.5 crore children under the age of six.
One of the critical components of the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan is the provision of supplementary nutrition to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Under the program, beneficiaries are provided with hot cooked meals or take-home rations, depending on their age and nutritional needs. The meals are fortified with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and zinc and are provided through the Anganwadi centers and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) system.
The program also promotes breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices to improve the nutritional status of young children. Breastfeeding is an essential source of nutrition for infants and young children and helps to protect them against infections and diseases. The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and encourages the continuation of breastfeeding and the introduction of appropriate complementary foods.
In addition to supplementary nutrition and breastfeeding promotion, the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan also focuses on fortifying food to address micronutrient deficiencies. Fortification is adding essential micronutrients to food to improve its nutritional value. The program aims to fortify commonly consumed foods such as wheat flour, rice, oil, and salt with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and zinc.
The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan also aims to strengthen the health systems for maternal and child care by improving the availability and quality of health services. This includes providing training to healthcare workers, improving infrastructure and equipment, and establishing nutrition cells at the district and state levels to coordinate and monitor the program’s implementation.
Rashtriya Poshan Maah
Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) is an annual event organized by the Government of India as part of the Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission). The event is held in September and aims to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition, particularly for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
Who is eligible for benefits under the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan?
The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan targets pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 6 months to 6 years. Benefits under the programme are available to these groups through various channels, such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme, the National Health Mission, and other government schemes.
The key components of the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan include:
- Community-based interventions, such as the provision of micronutrient powders, iron folic acid tablets, and food supplements
- Behavior change communication campaigns to promote healthy eating habits and lifestyles
- Capacity building of healthcare workers and other stakeholders to deliver nutrition-related interventions and services
- Monitoring and evaluation of the program to track progress and ensure accountability
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan is an essential step towards addressing malnutrition and improving the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in India. The program is expected to significantly impact the health and well-being of these vulnerable groups and contribute towards overall development.
PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan – FAQ
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What is the goal of the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan?
The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan is to reduce malnutrition among pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children in India, with a target of reducing malnutrition by at least 2 percent per year.
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Who is eligible for benefits under the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan?
The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan targets pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 6 months to 6 years.
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How can I access the benefits of the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan?
To access the benefits of the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan, you can visit the nearest Anganwadi Centre (AWC) or other healthcare facility that provides nutrition-related interventions and services.
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How is the Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan funded?
The Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan is funded by the Government of India through the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
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