Project Goal:

To create an integrated model towards improved health and nutrition status of children and antenatal mothers based on a continuum of care approach by involving key stakeholders and providing them supplementary nutrition with building their capacities and skills in Jhagadia block  of Bharuch  district in state of Gujarat. 

Problem Statement:

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) gives special focus on child nutrition, child protection and adolescent health and development. Government of India is a signatory to that as National Health Mission (NHM) and ICDS explain need to focus on child and adolescent health in its ongoing Health and Nutrition Programmes. Study indicates that 45% children currently in the age group 1-6 years have moderate growth and almost 50-60% adolescent girls in India are stunted or anaemic. Early marriage and early pregnancy aggravates the health and nutritional status of adolescent girls. 

It is further observed that care givers among marginalised sections are not aware about their entitlements from health and nutrition programmes. Therefore, they are not accessing the benefits of programmes like ICDS etc. for which there is a need to strengthen the health communication and counselling services for addressing the food and nutrition security in an effective manner with supplementary nutrition provision.