Recognising the urgent need to improve the situation with regard to child health and nutrition, since November 2011, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth, in partnership with the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), Government of Rajasthan, is implementing a pilot project in Baran district to improve the nutritional status of 0-5 year olds through a three-pronged, comprehensive approach of prevention, management and treatment of under nutrition.

The project was launched on a pilot basis in 253 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) of Shahabad and Kishanganj blocks in Baran district and has subsequently been scaled across the two blocks covering 502 AWCs.

Foundation has been working with the state government to strengthen the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) system in Baran, a remote district where Rajasthan’s sole Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) i.e. Sahariyas reside. High levels of child under nutrition and mortality have been reported and the state government is keen to accelerate development efforts here. The project has been developed after analysing the situation on child health and nutrition in detailed consultations with the state and district officials who have identified improving ICDS service delivery and generating community awareness on child health and nutrition as a priority.

The initiative works to strengthen the delivery of services under ICDS and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) with a focus on supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, referrals, health and nutrition education and health-checkups, as appropriate, for adolescent girls, pregnant and nursing mothers and 0-5 year old children.

Approach

• The key components of the intervention include:
• Promoting Mother Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) Day
• Strengthening Growth Monitoring
• Management of Severe Acute Malnourishment (SAM)
• Capacity-building of all ICDS and relevant NRHM-staff (such as those related to MTC) for improved service delivery
• Supportive Supervision to Anganwadi Workers (AWWs)
• Strengthening community participation