“National Nutrition Month 2024” to be Celebrated from September 1 to 30
Various Activities to be Organized Around the Theme of Holistic Nutrition
Raipur >> To ensure extensive awareness and effective behavioral change concerning health, nutrition, and hygiene among the public, the “National Nutrition Month” will be organized from September 1 to 30, 2024, as a public movement, just like every year. The Director of the Department of Women and Child Development, Ms. Tulika Prajapati, has issued instructions to all Collectors and District Program Officers to ensure the successful organization of “National Nutrition Month 2024.”
During the National Nutrition Month 2024, various activities focusing on themes such as anemia, growth monitoring, supplementary nutrition, “Nutrition and Education,” good governance, transparency, and efficient service delivery through technology will be organized. Ms. Prajapati has directed that for the smooth, effective, and outcome-oriented organization of the nutrition month and its activities, the active participation of esteemed public representatives, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, representatives of local bodies, associated departments, non-governmental organizations, public and private sectors, women’s self-help groups, women’s committees, Nehru Yuva Kendras, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and others should be ensured. In previous years, the nutrition month and fortnight celebrated in the state received active and result-oriented cooperation from various partner departments and development organizations. This year, effective coordination among the field-level staff of various associated departments is also required to organize the nutrition month at the district, block, village, and center levels. The main objective of Nutrition Month 2024 is to activate nutrition panchayats, thereby converting this public movement into public participation at the grassroots level by involving village sarpanchs and gram panchayats.
A calendar of daily activities to be held from September 1 to September 30, 2024, under National Nutrition Month 2024, has been prepared, along with the action plan of the partner departments. All activities conducted during Nutrition Month must be mandatorily recorded daily on the Jan Andolan dashboard portal.
Key Themes and Focus Areas of National Nutrition Month 2024
- Addressing Anemia: One of the primary focuses of this year’s nutrition month is to combat anemia, a prevalent health issue affecting various sections of society, especially women and children. Special camps and health check-ups will be organized to diagnose and treat anemia. Awareness programs will educate people about the importance of iron-rich foods and the role of a balanced diet in preventing anemia.
- Growth Monitoring: Monitoring the growth and development of children is crucial to ensure their overall health and well-being. Growth monitoring camps will be set up at the community level, where children’s height, weight, and other growth parameters will be measured. This data will help identify children at risk of malnutrition and facilitate timely interventions.
- Supplementary Nutrition: To enhance the nutritional intake of vulnerable groups, especially pregnant and lactating women, infants, and young children, supplementary nutrition will be provided through Anganwadi centers and other community platforms. These supplementary foods will be fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to bridge the nutritional gap.
- “Nutrition and Education” Initiative: This innovative approach aims to integrate nutrition education with formal education systems. Schools and educational institutions will conduct special sessions and workshops to educate children about the importance of nutrition, healthy eating habits, and personal hygiene. Interactive methods such as quizzes, drawing competitions, and storytelling will be used to engage children and reinforce key messages.
- Promotion of Good Governance and Transparency: To ensure efficient service delivery and transparency, the use of technology will be emphasized. Real-time monitoring of nutrition programs, tracking the distribution of supplementary nutrition, and maintaining transparency in fund allocation will be key focus areas. Technology will also be used to gather feedback from beneficiaries and improve the quality of services.
Community Participation and Involvement
To make National Nutrition Month 2024 a success, the active participation of various stakeholders at the community level is essential. The involvement of women’s self-help groups, local youth clubs, community leaders, and volunteers will be encouraged. These groups will play a crucial role in spreading awareness, organizing events, and mobilizing community members.
Public representatives and local leaders, such as sarpanchs and ward members, will be involved in planning and executing nutrition-related activities. Their leadership will help garner community support and ensure the sustainability of the initiatives.
Role of Partner Departments and Organizations
Various government departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and development partners will collaborate to implement the activities planned for National Nutrition Month 2024. The departments of health, education, rural development, agriculture, and panchayati raj will coordinate efforts to achieve the common goal of improving nutritional outcomes.
NGOs and development partners will provide technical support, capacity-building, and resources for implementing various activities. Their expertise and on-ground presence will be leveraged to reach the most vulnerable and marginalized sections of society.
Daily Activities Calendar and Monitoring
A detailed calendar of activities for each day of National Nutrition Month 2024 has been prepared. These activities will include health camps, nutrition awareness sessions, cooking demonstrations, growth monitoring drives, anemia screening, distribution of iron and folic acid supplements, and community meetings.
Each activity will be meticulously monitored to assess its impact and effectiveness. The data collected from these activities will be analyzed to identify areas that need improvement and to refine strategies for future interventions.
Use of Jan Andolan Dashboard Portal
The Jan Andolan dashboard portal will be utilized for real-time tracking and reporting of activities conducted during National Nutrition Month. All stakeholders involved in organizing and executing the activities will be required to update the portal daily with details of events, participation numbers, and outcomes. This will facilitate transparency, accountability, and timely decision-making.
Training and Capacity Building
To ensure the effective implementation of National Nutrition Month activities, training sessions will be organized for the staff of the Women and Child Development Department, Anganwadi workers, health workers, and other frontline functionaries. These training sessions will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct activities effectively, engage with the community, and disseminate key messages about nutrition and health.
Public Awareness Campaigns
A comprehensive public awareness campaign will be launched to inform and educate the public about the significance of nutrition and the various activities being organized under National Nutrition Month 2024. Various media channels, including print, radio, television, and social media, will be used to reach a wide audience.
Posters, banners, and informational leaflets will be distributed at strategic locations to create visibility and awareness about the initiative. Special radio programs and talk shows will be aired, featuring experts discussing the importance of nutrition and answering queries from the public.
Conclusion
National Nutrition Month 2024 aims to create a mass movement towards better nutrition and health. By focusing on themes such as anemia, growth monitoring, and supplementary nutrition, and by involving various stakeholders, the initiative seeks to make a significant impact on the nutritional status of the population.
The commitment and participation of the community, public representatives, partner departments, and organizations are crucial to the success of this initiative. Through collective efforts and sustained focus, National Nutrition Month 2024 will contribute to building a healthier and more nourished society.
All mothers and sisters are encouraged to actively participate in the various activities planned for National Nutrition Month 2024. Let us join hands to make this initiative a success and ensure a healthier future for our children and the community at large.
