Govt chalks out roadmap to eliminate anaemia, micro-nutrient deficiencies, wasting, stunting

Srinagar, Nov 6: The Jammu and Kashmir government has chalked out a roadmap regarding elimination of anaemia, micro-nutrient deficiencies and wasting and stunting, with the expert members suggesting that introduction of food fortification is need of the hour.
In this regard, a committee had been formed, as per a communiqué from Secretary Health and Medical Education. The communiqué, reviewed by Rising Kashmir reads that the committee shall convene workshops with relevant stakeholders, experts, officers on specific areas and submit the report.
“The committee members have agreed that food fortification being scientifically proven, cost effective, scalable and sustainable global intervention for addressing the issue of micro-nutrient deficiencies,” said a senior official part of the Committee meeting that was held on Saturday.
It was stated that the introduction and scaling up of food fortification of various food items commonly used by the general masses is need of the hour.
The committee is headed by administrative Secretary Health and Medical Education Department with Commissioner Food Safety and Controller Drugs and Food Safety Organisation, Directors of Health Kashmir and Jammu divisions, Mission Director National Health Mission as Convener, Principal Government Medical Colleges (GMC) Srinagar and Jammu, HODs of Department of Preventive and Social Medicine GMC Srinagar and Jammu, representative of social welfare department not less than the rank of additional secretary, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Dar (NIPI) and Dr Harjeet Rai Epidemiologist/ SSO.
According to the report, the committee will identify measurable indicators on each of the thematic areas besides prepare an action plan for addressing identified gaps for improvement of the indicators through targeted approach with timelines.
An assessment of the existing implementation strategies of schemes/ interventions and gap analysis of supplies, equipments, instruments in use for screening and treatment in health facilities, AWCs and schools will be conducted.