National nutrition estimation campaign begins

Kathmandu: A 15-day campaign of nutrition estimation has kicked off across the country.

The Ministry of Health and Population launched the campaign under the slogan of ‘Timely detection and treatment: A base of malnutrition-free generation’. It is enforced among children from six months to 59 months. The status of malnutrition would be ascertained with supervision in order to ensure timely treatment.

The children suffering from malnutrition would be categorised into three levels- high, moderate and low risk, which would be helpful to set future programmes on the health and nutrition of children. The drive began on April 28, giving a real picture at local, district and provincial levels, according to Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki.

Their campaign will be realised through health and immunisation centres, community clinics, ward offices, community buildings, and early child development centres.

The state of malnutrition is ascertained by measuring children’s height, weight and circumference of arms. The health workers mobilised for the task would collect necessary details with the use of health gadgets. Information and awareness on the national drive is spread to every household via radio at local levels, while women community health workers will be mobilised actively.

It is said Nepal is suffering from three aspects of malnutrition in Nepal- under-nutrition, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies- thereby exposing health and food security concerns.

The Health Ministry has requested one and all to make the malnutrition estimation drive a success. RSS