Government is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan (earlier known as National Nutrition Mission) since 18th December 2017 to address the problem of malnutrition in the country. To ensure a holistic approach, all districts of States/UTs have been covered in the Abhiyaan. The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers, in a time bound manner during the three years with fixed targets as under:
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S.No
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Objective
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Target
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1.
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Prevent and reduce Stunting in children (0- 6 years)
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By 6% @ 2% p.a.
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2.
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Prevent and reduce under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years)
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By 6% @ 2% p.a.
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3.
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Reduce the prevalence of anaemia among young Children(6-59 months)
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By 9% @ 3% p.a.
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4.
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Reduce the prevalence of anaemia among Women and Adolescent Girls in the age group of 15-49 years.
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By 9% @ 3% p.a.
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5.
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Reduce Low Birth Weight (LBW).
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By 6% @ 2% p.a.
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The Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. There is no separate target for different cities and metros.
The results of the POSHAN Abhiyaan can be known after the programme has completed its approved period. However, in the meantime, as per the report of Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) conducted by UNICEF, prevalence of stunting and underweight among children is 34.7%and 33.4% respectively, which is an improvement and reduction from the levels reported in National Family Health Survey-4, which were 38.4% and 35.7% respectively.
This information was given by Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
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MM/SB/DS