Government to organise fair to fight malnutrition among kids, pregnant women

MEERUT: The health department under the umbrella of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is set to organize a Health and Nutrition fair on the first Wednesday of every month starting September to fight malnutrition among kids and pregnant women. With as many as 3.76 lakh kids in the age group of 0-5 years and 1.14 lakh pregnant women in Meerut being the beneficiaries of this scheme, awareness will be spread among the masses regarding malnutrition.

“The health department will observe Health and Nutrition fair on the first Wednesday of every month starting September to fight malnutrition among kids and pregnant women. Under this initiative, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers will convince pregnant women and other families to come along with their young kids to the fair and get aware about malnutrition,” said Dr Raj Kumar Chaudhary, chief medical officer of Meerut.

The fair will see different counters where hemoglobin, urine, blood pressure and weight of pregnant women will be inspected, along with counters where weight of kids will be checked and food will be given to the beneficiaries. Another counter would have doctors for regular check-ups.

“This will be monitored at the block level and a report will have to be submitted. A drive for awareness about malnutrition will also be conducted in schools,” said Dr Chaudhary.