Consultation programme on good nutrition held

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Aug 9:  Additiol Chief Secretary Y Tsering today iugurated a state level consultation on accelerating progress towards good nutrition for all in Meghalaya.

The meeting was organised by the state Social Welfare Department and State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) in collaboration with the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and the India Institute of Public Health, Shillong (IIPHS).  Delivering the keynote address, Tsering emphasised on the importance of focusing on quality care and services and not just the numbers.

He said that holistic, state-level actions are needed to address nutrition in Meghalaya.  “There is a need to look at food habits in rural areas and create awareness on importance of nutritious food, healthy lifestyle, education for women and girls and water, sanitation and hygiene practices. Education plays an important role in shaping the perceptions of children. Therefore, educators play a key role in spreading health literacy,” he said.  Tsering released the Meghalaya dashboard – a report with data specific to Meghalaya’s nutritiol indicators.

The Mission Director- SRCW, Ivyreen Warjri spoke about key initiatives of the Government to address under nutrition. Warjri highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment for achieving better nutrition and health outcomes in Meghalaya.

The meeting was attended by 120 participants including Government of Meghalaya officials from Departments of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Education, Tribal Welfare, Social Welfare, non-governmental organisations working on health and nutrition issues, academic institutions and development partners.