Malnutrition: DFID moots Thai model

Bhopal, Nov 3 : Department for International Development (DFID) of Britain today suggested the Madhya Pradesh government to adopt the Thaliand model in combating malnutrition problem in the state.

A delegation of DFID, led by its head Michael Anderson and British High Commissioner Richard Stagg, today met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and senior officials and discussed the progress of DFID's supported progammes in the state.

''Malnutrition is a global problem, particularly for the developing and poor countries. The problem does not relate to food alone, but it is a multi-dimensional problem and there is a challenge before the countries to overcome it. The Madhya Pradesh government has taken initiatives to cope with the problem,'' Mr Anderson told media here.

Mr Anderson said during their interaction with Mr Chouhan, they had shared their views on the issue and the DFID delegation informed the CM that the Thailand model to combat malnutrition was very effective and suggested the state government to adopt it to combat the menace.

He said Mr Chouhan was excited about the proposal and agreed to accept it.

Mr Anderson said DFID was spending Rs 2,000 crore annually in India for poverty reduction purpose and in Madhya Pradesh, the organisation had spent Rs 300 crore per annum.

He said DFID was providing financial assistance to the Madhya Pradesh government in the sectors like health, power sector, rural livelihoods project and urban services of the poor.

The DFID team also visited several slums in the state capital to oversee the implementation of the projects and interacted with the people, he said.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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