State to provide fruits, milk to anganwadi kids

Move aimed at reducing cases of malnutrition among kids aged between 3 and 6

DILIP PATEL

To reduce cases of malnutrition among kids aged between 3 and 6, the state women & child development department has decided to serve fruits and milk in childcare centres, commonly known as anganwadis.
The department’s commissioner, Sunaina Tomar, said that more than 75,000 children were suffering from malnutrition in Ahmedabad district.
These kids, Tomar said, would be fed fruits and milk twice a week. “Our objective is to provide such children in anganwadis 800 calories of extra nutrition,” she said. “This programme will begin in 10 days.” Over 2,800 anganwadis, which are run either by the state government or NGOs, will be covered under the scheme.
According to Tomar, 2.08 lakh kids study in anganwadis in Ahmedabad district. Of these, 1.32 lakh children are healthy, while 40,661 are suffering from severe malnutrition.
“Fruits will be served to malnourished children every Monday and Thursday, while milk will be provided on Tuesday and Friday,” the official said.
Under this programme, distribution will take place in the presence of either an MLA, corporator or a panchayat member. There are 35.25 lakh children aged between 3 and 6 across Gujarat. Of these, 15 lakh have been termed fit, while 6.52 lakh are not receiving normal levels of nutrition.

GRIM OUTLOOK


75,000
The number of malnourished kids in A’bad dist
6.52 L
The number of malnourished kids in Gujarat