POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan:
Introduction
Malnutrdiverse vegetables and fruits.\nQ7. How does this program contribute to Sustainableition remains one of the most pressing health challenges in India, affecting millions of children and women. Recognizing the importance of nutrition in national development, the Government of India launched POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan, a holistic initiative under the broader POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission). The program seeks to tackle malnutrition by promoting better health practices, improving access to nutrition services, and encouraging community participation.
This article will provide an in-depth overview of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan, including its objectives, features, strategies, achievements, challenges, and impact on India’s fight against malnutrition.
What is POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan?
POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan is a government-led nutrition initiative launched to strengthen the fight against malnutrition, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight in India. It is an integral part of the larger POSHAN Abhiyaan, which stands for Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment.
The mission emphasizes:
• Convergence of various nutrition-related schemes.
• Use of technology and monitoring systems to track progress.
• Behavior change communication to promote healthy practices.
• Community participation and awareness drives.
The word “Shakti” symbolizes strength and empowerment, indicating that this program aims to empower communities, especially women and children, with better nutrition.
Objectives of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
The primary objectives of the mission are:
1. Eradicate Malnutrition: To significantly reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among children, adolescents, and women.
2. Improve Maternal and Child Health: Focus on proper nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
3. Reduce Stunting, Wasting, and Anemia: Target measurable indicators related to child growth and women’s health.
4. Strengthen Institutional Mechanisms: Improve coordination between ministries such as Women & Child Development, Health, Education, and Rural Development.
5. Promote Nutrition Awareness: Use mass campaigns and digital platforms to encourage healthy dietary practices.
6. Leverage Technology: Monitor growth through apps, dashboards, and real-time data collection.
7. Community Engagement: Involve Panchayati Raj Institutions, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and civil society.
Key Features of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
The mission includes several unique components:
1. Target-Based Approach
• Reduce stunting among children (0–6 years) to below 25% by 2025.
• Reduce anemia among women and adolescent girls by 50%.
• Ensure universal access to nutrition services.
2. Technology-Driven Monitoring
• The ICDS-CAS (Common Application Software) monitors real-time growth of children and maternal health indicators.
• Nutrition dashboards at national, state, and district levels.
3. Jan Andolan (People’s Movement)
• Mass awareness campaigns involving schools, NGOs, and community groups.
• Nutrition weeks, nutrition gardens (Poshan Vatikas), and awareness drives.
4. Holistic Convergence
Coordination between 18 ministries including Health, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Women & Child Development.
5. Behavior Change Communication (BCC)
• Focus on dietary diversity, breastfeeding practices, hygiene, and health check-ups.
Components of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
1. Nutritional Interventions
• Supplementary nutrition through Anganwadi centers.
• Promotion of iron-folic acid supplementation.
• Introduction of fortified foods like rice, milk, and salt.
2. Health Interventions
• Antenatal care for pregnant women.
• Growth monitoring of children under 5 years.
• Deworming and vaccination campaigns.
3. Education and Awareness
• Campaigns in schools and colleges about balanced diets.
• Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs).
4. Community Participation
• Involvement of women’s self-help groups in preparing and distributing nutritious meals.
• Setting up Poshan Vatikas (nutrition gardens) in households and schools.
Implementation of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
The mission is implemented through:
• Anganwadi Workers (AWWs): Frontline workers delivering nutrition services.
• ASHA Workers: Linking communities with health services.
• Panchayati Raj Institutions: Supervising and monitoring progress at the grassroots level.
• NGOs and Civil Society: Supporting campaigns and interventions.
• Digital Platforms: Using technology for real-time tracking.
Achievements of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
The mission has made significant progress since its inception:
• Millions of children and pregnant women registered on the ICDS-CAS platform.
• Nutrition gardens established in schools and communities.
• Increased public awareness about breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
• Visible reduction in wasting and underweight prevalence in several states.
• Enhanced convergence between ministries for nutrition outcomes.
Challenges Faced
Despite progress, several challenges remain:
1. Regional Disparities: Malnutrition rates remain high in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
2. Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of adequate facilities in rural Anganwadis.
3. Behavioral Barriers: Cultural food habits and lack of dietary diversity.
4. Data Gaps: Issues in real-time monitoring due to poor internet connectivity.
5. COVID-19 Impact: Pandemic disrupted nutrition supply chains and services.
Future Prospects of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
The government aims to further strengthen the mission by:
• Expanding food fortification programs.
• Integrating nutrition with climate-smart agriculture.
• Enhancing community-led models like kitchen gardens.
• Promoting digital literacy among Anganwadi workers.
• Building stronger partnerships with private sector and NGOs.
Impact on Women and Children
• Women: Improved maternal nutrition, anemia reduction, and better antenatal care.
• Children: Decrease in stunting, wasting, and underweight cases.
• Adolescents: Focus on anemia control and reproductive health.
• This mission contributes directly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Conclusion
POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan marks a turning point in India’s fight against malnutrition. By integrating technology, community participation, and inter-ministerial convergence, the mission addresses both immediate and long-term nutrition challenges. While hurdles remain, the initiative has already made notable strides in improving health outcomes for women and children.
The success of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan lies in sustained efforts, behavior change at the grassroots level, and continued government-community partnership. With consistent implementation, India can move closer to achieving a malnutrition-free society.
FAQs on POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan
Q1. What is POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan?
POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan is a government initiative under POSHAN Abhiyaan aimed at reducing malnutrition, anemia, and stunting among children and women in India.
Q2. When was POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan launched?
It was launched as part of the broader POSHAN Abhiyaan in 2018 and continues to evolve with new strategies.
Q3. Who are the main beneficiaries of this mission?
Pregnant women, lactating mothers, children under 6 years, and adolescent girls are the key beneficiaries.
Q4. What role do Anganwadi centers play in the mission?
Anganwadi centers provide supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, and health awareness under the mission.
Q5. How does technology support POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan?
The mission uses mobile apps, dashboards, and digital monitoring tools like ICDS-CAS to track real-time nutrition data.
Q6. What are Poshan Vatikas?
Poshan Vatikas are nutrition gardens promoted under the mission to provide families with fresh and diverse vegetables and fruits.
Q7. How does this program contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
It directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health) by improving nutrition and health outcomes.
Q8. What challenges does POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan face?
Some challenges include regional disparities, poor infrastructure, cultural barriers, and data monitoring issues.
Q9. Is POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan the same as POSHAN Abhiyaan?
POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan is a strengthened initiative under the broader POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission).
Q10. What is the ultimate goal of POSHAN Shakti Abhiyan?
The mission aims to achieve a malnutrition-free India by ensuring better nutrition, awareness, and health services.
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Writer: Vandita Singh, Lucknow (GS India Nursing Group)