Koppal
A pilot project initiated by a Mangalurean doctor at Yelburga taluk of the district has demonstrated that Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) can be brought to zero with sustained budgets. The End Malnutrition Initiative, introduced by the Edward and Cynthia Institute of Public Health (ECIPH), a unit of the Center for Health and Development (CHD) group, is a novel public health concept to reduce the burden of malnutrition. This project was implemented by the CHD Group team and supported by the state’s department of women and child development. Dr Edmond Fernandes, director, ECIPH, said due to paucity of funds, the project was implemented in pilot mode to demonstrate `proof of concept’ which it successfully delivered. From 31 SAM children in August 2022, the number came down to 11 in March 2023. Likewise, from 1,067 MAM children in September 2022, the number came down to 329 in March 2023. Parents of children under five years, anganwadi supervisors, community elders, elected representatives, faith-based leaders were engaged and hand-holding parents towards preparation of food was the main turning point in achieving the success.
All Anganwadis in Yelburga taluk were given supportive supervision in terms of a low-cost energy rich diet that had to be provided to the children by their parents. As many as 500 youth volunteers were identified to amplify low-cost dietary interventions. In anganwadis, children were fed nutritious food ranging from groundnut chikki, to bele payasa, lemon rice, rice sambar, sprouted green grams, wheat payasam, upma and others.
Yelburga was chosen because the then Women and Child Minister Halappa Achar was eager to see the pilot project deliver good results, which being his constituency, Dr Edmond told.
