Ranchi, 23 March 2021: UNICEF today organized an orientation session for NSS volunteers to brief them about SAAMAR (Strategic Action for Alleviation of Malnutrition and Anaemia Reduction) campaign which has been announced by the Government of Jharkhand for alleviation of malnutrition and anemia in the state. Through the campaign the government aims to improve maternal and child indicators within the state over the next three years.
The campaign would be launched across all the 24 districts, with 5 districts being surveyed in the first phase. Around 60 volunteers and programme officers attended the session and pledged to support this campaign and make the state malnutrition and anemia free.
The SAAMAR campaign aims to identify severe acutely malnourished children below 5 years and anaemic women. As per National Family Health Survey-4 data, every second child in the state is less in height for their weight and around 70% children are anaemic in Jharkhand. Only 1 out of 10 children aged 6 to 59 months are eating adequately (appropriate quality, diversity and frequency) in state.
Addressing the NSS volunteers on SAAMAR campaign, Dr. D.K. Saxena, Director General, Jharkhand State Nutrition Mission said, “SAAMAR will soon be launched and has a 1000 days target, under which household surveys using a dedicated SAAMAR mobile application will be conducted by a Poshan Dal to identify children and women for malnourishment and anaemia. Those displaying symptoms would be assessed at the Anganwadi centre and based on the outcome would be provided adequate treatment. The Chief Minister has taken up this cause for the well-being of women and children of Jharkhand and we all must combine our efforts for its effective roll out.”
Mr. Prasanta Dash, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Jharkhand urged the young NSS volunteers to come forward and support the SAAMAR campaign. He said, “NSS volunteers are the ‘Yuwa potential of the state’ and have always taken the lead for social causes. Their support to this campaign is also much appreciated. They will play an important role by supporting the campaign, distributing leaflets, organising Nukkad Nataks and engaging in Wall Art in their villages and towns to promote the importance of nutrition in first 1000 days of life through SAAMAR campaign so that more and more people become a part of it.
Dr Brajesh Kumar, State NSS Officer, Jharkhand said, “Dr Brajesh Kumar, State NSS Officer, Jharkhand said, “NSS will provide full support to this campaign by propagating messages in the community and motivating people to adopt proper food habits and provide nutritious food to the children & pregnant women. Messages of SAAMAR campaign will be propagated through skit, wall writing, seminars, and meetings and also by distributing leaflets, & brochures. NSS volunteers will ensure that messages reach to maximum people, so that every child & women can avail nutritious food and Jharkhand becomes a Malnutrition Free State.”
Ms Astha Alang, Communication Officer, Ms Preetu Mishra, Nutrition Specialist, and Mr Pritish Nayak, Nutrition officer from UNICEF also attended the session.
