Nutrition solutions based on traditional healthcare wisdom will be an integral part of the Third Rashtriya Poshan Maah, being celebrated this month, to address the problem of malnutrition in women and children.

The initiative will further accelerate various activities under the Indian government’s Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) launched in March 2018.

“The programme has special focus on reducing the level of stunting, under-nutrition and low birth weight in children, and anaemia in adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers as well as children. All the traditional medicine systems of India place emphasis on food and diet, and have sophisticated knowledge on the subject. This body of time-tested knowledge will be scientifically adapted to add momentum to the Poshan Abhiyaa,” a statement by the AYUSH Ministry said. 

A joint communication was sent to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories by the Secretaries of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Women & Child Development on September seven, explaining the role of Ayush-based solutions.

A drive for early identification of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) will be undertaken. Experts from indigenous systems of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani will be co-opted to provide guidance on good nutrition, complementary feeding etc. The Ministry of AYUSH will initiate and coordinate special measures for this, through the network of its Autonomous Bodies as well as through Stake-holders like Ayush Educational Institutions. The Ministry will customise its on-going awareness campaign during the month by focusing on the theme “Ahara” (directly related to the subject of nutrition) and reach out to the public with targeted messages.

To strengthen community support to this drive, Poshan Panchayats will be organized where all members of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) and public will participate to discuss on-going activities, health and nutrition education, and remedial measures being taken. The AYUSH Ministry will also take special efforts in promoting village level activities by roping in relevant stake-holders.