ICDS ameliorates mother and child life in Himachal
Shimla, Aug 24 : Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS), the largest
programme focussing on maternal and child health and nutrition in India and abroad, is
being implemented successfully and benefitting the target groups in Himachal Pradesh.
A spokesman of the Himachal Pradesh government said the largest national
programme for the development of mothers and children, which was introduced initially in
only one block in the tribal district of Kinnaur, is now being vigorously implemented in
all the 75 Child Development Blocks of the state, besides one project in Shimla.
The state government, during the current year on various components of the
scheme, which would benefit about 5.33 lakh women and children of the state, would spend a
sum of Rs 64.65 crore.
He said the scheme envisages supplementary nutrition, pre-school education,
immunisation, health check-ups, referral services and health education.
Services under the programme are coordinated at the village, block, district and
state levels. The programme seeks effective convergence of inter-sectoral services through
community-based Anganwari workers and helpers, supportive community structures and self
help groups through the Anganwadi centres.
The primary responsibility for the implementation of the programme lies with the
Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the state government and the beneficiaries
are children below six years, pregnant and lactating women and women in the age group of
15 to 44 years.
He said it was launched for the purpose of improving the nutritional and health
status of children, in the age group of 0-6 years, besides laying the foundation for their
proper psychological, physical and social development. The scheme aims at reducing the
incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout to achieve effective
coordinated policy and its implementation amongst the various departments to promote child
development.
One of its objectives is to enhance the capability of mothers in looking after
the normal health and nutritional needs of children through proper education.
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