Ladakh officials asked to address malnourishment in kids

Jammu, February 9

Adviser to the Lt Governor of Ladakh, Pawan Kotwal, chaired a UT-level committee to review and approve the Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP) prepared by the Department of Social & Tribal Welfare for the Financial Year 2024-25 under Mission Vatsalya, Mission Poshan, and Mission Shakti.

He appreciated that the state and district hubs for empowerment of women are operationalised in Ladakh under Mission Shakti and asked the Department of Social & Tribal Welfare to ensure that wide coverage is given so that women in Ladakh can access these hubs for assistance and information.

Kotwal also acknowledged the initiative taken up by the Department under the Zero-MAM campaign to identify and track each Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) child in each of the 13 ICDS Projects in Ladakh and provide supplementary nutrition and other required interventions to remove malnutrition in Ladakh, under Mission Poshan.

He directed the department to conduct follow-up assessments and interventions for these vulnerable children. He emphasised the reactivation of non-operational centres, recognising their pivotal role in providing vital services to communities in need.

Advisor reviewed the status of child care institutions under Mission Vatsalaya that are being constructed under Special Development Package for children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Social & Tribal Welfare, Padma Angmo apprised the committee about the status of various projects being undertaken under the special development package and stated that the observation-cum-special home under Mission Vatsalaya is expected to be completed in 2024-25 while the 300-bedded working women’s hostel in each district is expected to be ready by 2025-2026.