UN’s World Meals Programme commends India’s diet programmes

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At the second edition of the Bharat Nutrition Week mega-conclave, organized by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council, Parajuli also outlined the path for better coverage

Recognizing the challenges the pandemic poses in ensuring access to nutritious food, Bishow Parajuli, Representative of the World Food Program in India, has welcomed the efforts of the Indian government to ensure nutrition through distribution systems and move towards food fortification focus.

At the second edition of the Bharat Nutrition Week mega-conclave, organized by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council, Parajuli also outlined the path for better coverage.

“India has made good strides over the years starting with the PDS, which covers 800 million people, and doubled coverage during the pandemic. It’s an excellent effort to avoid stagnation and combat malnutrition in poor households that have lost income opportunities during COVID-19. Together with ICDS and lunchtime meals, which benefit approximately 100 million school children, India’s programs serve approximately one billion people. But the challenges remain – it’s alarming to see that 10 out of 22 states indicate increased prevalence of malnutrition in the current National Family Health Survey. Nutrition is an important agenda as we can see from government policies and programs to address nutrition ahead of time, ”he added

Parajuli emphasizes that the body works with governments at both central and state levels, says Parajuli: “We are working together to improve take-away ration, food fortification, innovative practices and capacity building in Uttar Pradesh , Rajasthan and Odisha. to promote . We have set up small units of nutritional supplements in Uttar Pradesh run by women’s self-help groups that deliver locally produced food to Anganwadis – a move that has been replicated by the state government. “

He added that global hunger has nearly doubled and it can cause significant economic losses. “Undernourishment and malnutrition are estimated to result in a loss of $ 2.1 trillion to the global economy and a decline in national economic growth of nearly 8 percent. Studies have shown that countries that have failed to invest in the well-being of women and children are losing billions of dollars due to lower economic productivity and higher health care costs. The six ways India can keep its momentum are: It must continue to secure and promote access to nutrition, safe and affordable, regular nutrition with uniformity across all states; invest in the first 100 days; Continue work on evidence for the early detection and treatment of child abuse; continue to have school meals; include those who have been missed, where measures such as “one nation, one ration card” can help migrants; and ensure mothers receive health, sanitation and income, ”added Parajuli.