Helpline launched to address nutrition queries

A toll-free helpline was launched on Monday to address queries associated with nutrition and malnutrition, a major area of concern in the country, a Women and Child Development official said.

The number 14408 could be used by stakeholders like the workers of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Anganwadis and even general public to put queries on nutrition and malnutrition.

The helpline number has been launched under the Poshan Abhiyan, also called National Nutrition Mission, that aims to bring down stunting of children in the age group of 0-6 years from 38.4 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022.

The conversations on the helpline could be made in three languages of Hindi, English and Telugu.

Around 100 community radio stations have been taken on board to spread awareness about ‘Poshan Abhiyan’, which aims to bridge the nutrition gap and reduce stunting among children, the official said.

The Women and Child Development Ministry will observe September as the Poshan Maah (nutrition month) during which special focus would be given to eight themes.

These themes of the National Nutrition Mission are antenatal, optimal breastfeeding, complementary feeding, anaemia, growth monitoring, hygiene and sanitation, food fortification and girls' education, diet and marriage at the right age.

The ministry is trying to reach about 11 crore women and children during the month through various grass-root activities, the official said, adding that a convergence of 12 ministries would be observed during the month.

These ministries include WCD, Rural Development, HRD Ministry, Food Processing among others.