National nutrition estimation campaign begins

Kathmandu, April 29: 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 the children from six months to 59 months. Status of malnutrition would be ascertained with the supervision in order to ensure timely treatment.

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

There campaign will be realized through health and immunization centre, community clinics, ward offices, community building and early child development centre. 

The state of malnutrition is ascertained by measuring children's height and weight and circumference of arms. The health workers mobilized 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 would be mobilized actively.

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

The Health Ministry has requested one and all to make successful the malnutrition estimation drive. (RSS)