JOIN USMuchchur Gram Panchayat which is the first gram panchayat in the district to form an exclusive action plan for improving nutrition level among children, has recorded a visible decline in the number of malnutrition cases, said Zilla Panchayat member Janardhan Gowda.
The gram panchayat which holds the credit of convening parents meetings and bringing awareness about the childrens’ health, now records 11 malnutrition children in contrast to 23 children who were suffering from malnutrition earlier, he said.
He was speaking after inaugurating an interaction programme on ‘Healthy food for healthy society’ jointly organised by the Information Department, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, Women and Child Welfare Department, Child Development Project Office and Kompapadavu Primary Health Centre at Kompapadavu Higher Primary School on Saturday.
“The educated district which is popular for having mooted several movements in the past, also consists of children who are malnutritioned. All should fight unitedly to find a solution to the existing problem and it could be reduced to some extent providing naturally available healthy food to children from lower strata of society,” he said.
Muchchur Gram Panchayat President Prakash Hegde in his presidential address asked the elders to keep children away from ‘noodles culture,’ rather give them healthy food when they are hungry.
Dr Chirag who was resource person on the occasion, affirmed that the malnutrition problem will not arise if the pregnant women intake healthy food and follow the instructions mentioned in ‘Thayi Card.’
“Most of the times, the cause for malnutrition problem is the negligence of mothers who follow unscientific methods. The children should be offered breast milk for at least first six months and should be given ample fruits and vegetables up to two years,” he said.
Mangalore Taluk Health Officer Dr Rathnakar, Information Department Officer R Rohini and others were present.