Pune’s Malnutrition Drive: 552 Children Identified, Strict Monitoring to Ensure Recovery
Pune, 16th December 2024: In a determined effort to tackle malnutrition, the Women and Child Welfare Department has identified 552 malnourished children across the district following a recent survey. Among them, 72 children have been classified as severely malnourished and will be admitted to Village Child Development Centers (VCDC) for intensive care.
The District Council’s Women and Child Welfare Department provides balanced nutrition to children aged zero to six years to combat malnutrition. To ensure this, funds are allocated in advance to Anganwadi workers for implementing nutrition programs at the grassroots level.
During the survey conducted last month, 480 children were found to be moderately malnourished, in addition to the 72 severely malnourished cases. All identified children will receive care at VCDCs, where they will be provided with nutritious meals, essential medicines, and continuous health monitoring.
At these centers, children are fed and medicated eight times a day. The program also mandates regular inspections by Taluka Health Officers on weekends to ensure effective implementation and monitor the children’s recovery.
Officials from the Women and Child Welfare Department noted significant progress in reducing malnutrition compared to earlier years, when thousands of children were affected. They credit the collaborative efforts of Anganwadi workers, doctors, and Taluka officers for this decline.
