National Nutrition Mission

The National Nutrition Mission has has been launched in January 2014 with the following two components:- 

I. Multi-sectoral Nutrition programme:-

• To address Maternal and Child Under-Nutrition in 200 high-burden districts, 
• which aims at prevention and reduction in child under-nutrition (underweight prevalence in children under 3 years of age) and 
• reduction in levels of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women 
• The concerned States /UTs have been advised to set up State Nutrition Council / Districts Nutrition Cells and prepare nutrition action plans for approval of the Government and the plans/progress from the States is awaited.
• States with high burden districts include MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP, Rajasthan, Bihar among others. 

II. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign against malnutrition:

• To create awareness about nutrition challenges and promote home-level feeding practices a Nationwide Information, Education and Communication campaign against malnutrition has been launched during 2012-13. 

The component of the National Nutrition Mission, which aims to reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women is the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Programme, is yet to be implemented.

The key objectives of these programmes are as under:

·        To create awareness relating to malnutrition amongst pregnant women, lactating mothers, promote healthy lactating practices and importance of balanced nutrition;

·        To improve maternal and child under-nutrition in 200 high burdened districts and to prevent and reduce the under-nutrition prevalent among children below 3 years; 

·        To reduce incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.

The programme envisages coordinated action at the Central and State levels for affirmative multi-sectoral action in fulfilling the objectives.

 

• An Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee (IMCC) headed by Cabinet Secretary at National level has been created for coordination at National level.

 At the State level, the State Nutrition Council headed by the Chief Minister would be the highest body for providing policy direction and oversight to the Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme. 

The State Nutrition Council would be assisted by the Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the State and would comprise of Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of all line departments concerning the Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme.

 Similar coordinating bodies would be set up at the District and village levels to provide all support in effective implementation, monitoring and supervision of the programme.

 Monitoring and evaluation of the programme has been entrusted to National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) to track the progress and achievements during and after implementation.

 At the National level, the Food & Nutrition Board (FNB) under Ministry of Women & Child Development would act as the Technical Support Unit with additional technical human resource to manage and roll out the programme.