Thiruvananthapuram launches plan to improve child nutrition

The Women and Child Development (WCD) department has announced a new plan to improve the nutritional status of children. This initiative will involve working with various organizations and is set to last for a year. One key part of the plan is to train at least one nurse in the Gynaecology department of each hospital to be a lactation counsellor. These nurses will support mothers in breastfeeding their newborns and will receive training in neonatal care. This is important because many new mothers may need extra help after giving birth. The pilot program will start in Thiruvananthapuram. The training program's syllabus is being revised, and certification will be provided to the nurses. In addition to the breastfeeding initiative, the WCD will also assess the growth of students living in hostels for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Nutritionists will measure their height and weight, with special attention to underweight students. Anganwadi workers will conduct monthly growth assessments in these hostels and schools. They will work to raise awareness about anaemia and find ways to improve students' haemoglobin levels. The WCD’s school counsellors will assist in these activities. The department is also planning to start an aquaponics project in anganwadis that have the necessary space. This will help provide children with fresh vegetables and fish. The Fisheries department will support this initiative, which will also begin as a pilot in Thiruvananthapuram.