JSW Foundation, the social development division of the JSW Group, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) under the Government of Maharashtra (GoM) to improve the status of nutrition among mothers (both pregnant and lactating) and children in Thane district of Maharashtra.
Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation and Ujjwal Uke, IAS, Principal Secretary, WCD, GoM have signed the MoU document in the presence of Varsha Gaikwad, Minister, WCD, GoM in Mumbai. The MoU is to address the critical issue of malnutrition in Thane district which has remained as a major challenge in the last few years. The key goal of this project is to track every mother (both pregnant and lactating) and child below the age of six years and ensure both the availability and accessibility of the essential services to them such as immunisation; supplementary nutrition; other basic health services; and key massages on healthy practices at community level. This aims at facilitating the reduction in the cases of low birth weight (LBW) babies which contribute significantly to the cases of severe and moderate malnutrition.
The Minister said, “We are optimistic with advanced technology and resources at our disposal. We are working on ensuring efficient health services, clean water supply, sanitation, immunisation, and timely referrals to address the issue. I am happy that Sangita Jindal and her team from JSW Foundation have joined us in this mission against malnutrition in Thane, I am sure this effort will set example for many others to come forward and make an impact.”
Commenting on this social initiative, Jindal said, “In partnership with GoM, we are committed towards tackling malnutrition in Thane district. The high rate of infant and child mortality still remains a grave area of concern in India. I am sure that this project will help each mother and child in Thane district to grow healthy and contribute towards the development of the nation. I wish this project all the success.”
Uke said, “We are committed to reduce the rate of malnutrition among women and children in Thane district. Over the last few weeks, we have been working on the processes where the ‘corporates’ also join hands with GoM in addressing the issue of malnourishment.”
A six-year phase wise scaling up strategy is planned where two talukas of Thane district will be taken in the first year, six in the second year and the remaining all in third year. In the subsequent years, the focus shall remain on establishing and sustaining the project in all the Talukas of Thane district. Periodic joint reviews shall continue to strengthen the execution of the project.
EH News Bureau
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