Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojna: The Himachal Pradesh government has announced its plans to launch the Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojna (IGMSSY) with an allocation of Rs 207.11 crore, aimed at enhancing women and child healthcare services and addressing malnutrition in the state.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated, "Ensuring access to nutritious food for vulnerable groups would significantly reduce the social and economic burden of malnutrition and contribute to building a healthier and more prosperous society."
Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojna: Key Benefits
The Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojna will focus on tackling intergenerational malnutrition, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life, through coordinated interventions in nutrition, health, and care, the statement explained.
It aims to reduce child mortality and morbidity while enhancing overall nutritional outcomes.
Under the scheme, there will be early identification, continuous monitoring, and effective management of high-risk groups, including children who are Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM), as well as low birth weight infants, with strengthened referral and follow-up mechanisms.
The initiative will also support frontline workers in improving their capacity to address prevalent health issues such as anaemia, diarrhoea, and pneumonia.
The scheme will provide scientifically formulated, nutrient-rich, and fortified food premixes, in line with revised Government of India nutrition standards, alongside the provision of milk and eggs to boost protein and micronutrient intake.
Specialised nutrition and follow-up protocols for SAM, MAM, and low birth weight children will be implemented by linking Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres with intensified Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Young Child Care (HBYC) visits.
Incentives will be offered to ASHA and Anganwadi workers for additional HBNC visits.
Monitoring systems will be strengthened through the Poshan Tracker, Mother and Child Protection (MCP) cards, and joint review mechanisms at the state, district, and block levels.
To ensure the effective delivery of integrated services related to nutrition, health, water and sanitation, and early childhood care and education, institutionalised inter-departmental convergence will be set up. This will involve the Departments of Health and Family Welfare, National Health Mission, Jal Shakti, Rural Development, and School Education, the statement added.
Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojna: Know Eligibility
The scheme is designed to provide high-quality protein, essential calories, and vital micronutrients to children under six years of age, as well as to pregnant women and lactating mothers. It is expected to benefit 2,99,488 eligible beneficiaries across the state.
( With PTI Inputs )