NEW DELHI: Lauding the work being done by the ASHA and Anganwadi workers in taking care of the nutritional and health needs of new borne children and pregnant women, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the country will progress only if the children of the country are strong.
Interacting with the ASHA and Anganwadi workers and health beneficiaries via video conferencing, the PM said, ”ASHA and Anganwadi workers and health beneficiaries are playing role of nation builders.
One cannot build a strong building on a weak foundation. Similarly, if the children of the country are weak the progress of the country will also slow down. ” Congratulating the workers for bringing about behavioural change in villagers and increasing awareness about factors behind good maternal health, the PM said, ”under Mission Indradhanush, over three crore children and more than 85 lakh pregnant women were vaccinated.”
The PM said that the Government has focussed on aspects relating to nutrition and quality healthcare. ”Vaccination efforts are on at a quick pace. This helps women and children in particular,” the PM said. “Initially, an ASHA worker used to visit a baby 6 times in 42 days after his/her birth.
Now we have increased that time to 15 months. ASHA worker will visit the baby for 11 times in these 15 months,” the Prime Minister said. ”The first 1000 days in a child’s life are very important.
The nourishment during this period determines his/her health and mental abilities.’Asha’ workers now need to visit a home 11 times in 15 months after every new birth.
I am confident, your dedication will help produce bright citizens,’the PM said. The PM’s interaction with health workers and beneficiaries was held as a part of ‘poshan-maah’ which is being celebrated this September.
It aims to highlight the message of importance of optimum nutrition. “Poshan Maah” (the month devoted to nutrition), is being celebrated in September 2018, across the country. It aims to reach every household in the country with the message of the importance of optimum nutrition. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
