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UNICEF lauds govt’s Arogya Lakshmi scheme
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) commended the “Arogya Lakshmi” scheme designed for the benefit of pregnant women and nursing mothers. The UNICEF described the scheme as “a boon for pregnant women and nursing mothers.” The UNICEF had recently released a report, called “Nourishing Wombs: Delivering an integrated package of maternal nutrition interventions in Telangana.”
Hyderabad: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) commended the “Arogya Lakshmi” scheme designed for the benefit of pregnant women and nursing mothers. The UNICEF described the scheme as “a boon for pregnant women and nursing mothers.” The UNICEF had recently released a report, called “Nourishing Wombs: Delivering an integrated package of maternal nutrition interventions in Telangana.”
The UNICEF conducted the study in collaboration with three agencies, Amaltas, Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) and National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) with the oversight of a technical advisory group. The study reviewed the sachem’s MIS record for 2014, 2015, 2016 and April to August 2017.
According to the report, the prevalence of maternal stunting was eight per cent, wasting (weakening of part or whole body progressively) 15 to 22 percent and severe wasting 4 to 12 per cent. Most of the women, between 60 and 75 per cent, have been registering with the scheme, on being motivated by self-help groups or family members. Arogya Lakshmi scheme’s meal enhanced maternal dietary quality and quantity as also
consumption of high quality foods like eggs and milk, stated the report. However, the average days of consumption of the scheme’s meal in a month ranged between 17 and 23 days, against target of 25 days. “In comparison to Sundays when the meal was not provided, the computed dietary energy and protein intake was mostly higher on days when the scheme’s meal was consumed, “revealed the report. On-the-spot iron folic acid pill consumption was poor in between 14 to 23 per cent.
Meanwhile, the nutritional counselling had been imparted to nearly all, but only 40 per cent had received family planning counselling. The report suggested that a dedicated health education session for the newly-wed through mass media be conducted. A two-day inter-state consultation on Maternal Nutrition – “Nurturing Mothers, Nourishing Wombs” – organised jointly by the government of Telangana and UNICEF concluded on Wednesday.
Speaking to The Hans India Meital Rusdia, chief of UNICEF office in Telangana, AP and Karnataka States, said she was delighted to be here in Telangana State. The Arogya Lakshmi scheme made a lot of progress and was successfully implemented, she said.
By: V Naveen Kumar
