“As per the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) the prevalence of anaemia is particularly high among women in reproductive age (15 to 49 years) i.e. 52.5% and 68.9 % children in Madhya Pradesh. The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (2016-18) indicates that the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent aged 10-19 years was found to be 21.2% in MP. To improve the nutritional outcomes state government of Madhya Pradesh has initiated Double Fortification of Salt and be distributed in 89 tribal blocks of 20 districts at Rs. 1 per kg per family through Fair Price Shop”.
Distribution of Double Fortified Salt (DFS) and Fortified Rice to Reduce Prevalence of Anaemia
Context
There are various ways of reducing malnutrition among pregnant women and children, in which fortification of salt is one of the important measures which involves addition of nutrients in salt. This has wider coverage and is cost effective.
MPVHA Efforts
MPVHA is an implementing partner of Nutrition International for strengthening the DFS program in five tribal dominated districts, namely Dhar, Alirajpur, Jhabua, Khargone and Barwani and fortified rice in Singrauli district since 2019-20. Overall objective of the project is to reduce Anaemia prevalence among the most vulnerable population by improving coverage and consumption of DFS and fortified rice among beneficiaries of PDS. Major components are:
- to facilitate un-interrupted supply of DFS through PDS in selected districts.
- to improve adherence to good storage practices at warehouse and fair-price shops.
- to ensure coordination among various related departments at district level through attending district/block level meetings etc.
By engaging stakeholders in strategic partnerships i.e. strengthening planning and enhancing the capacity of key stakeholder; Integration of strong program monitoring and reporting mechanisms; improving supply chains; increasing understanding of nutrition in communities and informing government policies to make programs and services more effective and inclusive.
Major Outcome:
The process of DFS distribution institutionalized and demand & supply side strengthened.