Host of activities, including 'test and treat' anemia campaign planned to observe 'Poshan Maah'

Street plays, wall paintings, and carrying out 'test and treat' anemia campaigns are some of the activities planned to convey the 10 thematic messages of 'Poshan Maah' being observed this September to spread awareness about the importance of optimum nutrition.

According to an action plan proposed by the Union health ministry, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi along with six AIIMS in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand will carry out 'test and treat' anemia campaign focused on women of reproductive age and with less than five children.

The National Nutrition Month is a multi-sectoral convergence activity by various ministries and departments, and a number of activities are to be carried out from national to village level, a statement form the Union health ministry said.

According to the statement, key stakeholding ministries such as the Woman and Child Development, HRD, Health and others would take part in it.

"The audience of this 'Jan Andolan' strategy are people among whom change is intended, those who influence primary participants to adopt change and those who create a supportive environment," it said.

A total of 10 priority themes have been identified to improve health and nutrition in the community.

These are antenatal care, optimal breast feeding, complementary feeding, full immunization and vitamin A supplementation, anemia prevention control, growth monitoring, food fortification, diarrhea management, girl education and age of marriage and hygiene, sanitation and safe drinking water.

"In order to convey these thematic messages, various platforms are to be utilised. These platforms could be in the form of engaging celebrity, influencers and local leaders, village health and nutrition day, gram sabha, community-based events, nukkad natak, wall paintings, television, radio, beside conducting meetings, seminars and workshops and home visits to families with newborn.

"As per the action plan proposed by Health Ministry, it has been decided that AIIMS, New Delhi along with six regional AIIMS - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand - will be carrying out 'test and treat' anemia campaign with support of state governments and UNICEF, focused on women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and under-five children," the statement read.

The month-long campaign will be undertaken in collaboration with state health system under National Health Mission (NHM).

According to the statement, as part of 'Poshan Maah' a 'test and treat' camp for anemia has been organised at Nirman Bhawan (which houses the Health Ministry) in the national capital for ten days to generate awareness in the community regarding the disease.

"Facilities of hemoglobin testing and nutrition counselling will be provided at the camps by National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Anemia (NCEAR-A)," it said.

Nutritional counselor from the National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Diets (NCEAR-D, Lady Irwin College) and the Centre for Acute Malnutrition (Kalawati Saran Children;s Hospital) will also provide nutrition counselling to the participants.

People who are mildly or moderately anemic, will be provided oral iron and folic acid supplementation and counselling. Those found to be severely anemic will be referred for management at higher centres, the statement said.