Highlights
- Ladakh’s LG was speaking at a meeting called to discuss findings of NFHS-5
- LG expressed concern over worsening nutritional status of people in Ladakh
- LG also discussed maternal and child health and called for measures
Leh: Ladakh Lt Governor R K Mathur on Wednesday (January 13) expressed concern over the twin problems of a rapid increase in the percentage of overweight people and the “worsening” nutritional status in the Union Territory, emphasising the need to curb them in their initial stages. Mr Mathur said this at a meeting here to discuss the National Family Health Survey (2019-2020). He also directed the health department to achieve 100 percent child vaccination and find ways to promote hygiene amongst children. He said the rapid increase in the percentage of overweight people and worsening nutritional status in Ladakh is a cause of concern.
Ladakh needs to act now to curb the rapid increase in the percentage of overweight people, he said, adding efforts must be put in to inculcate good eating habits as well as exercising.
The meeting deliberated upon the outcomes of the National Family Health Survey-5, 2019-2020, with the emphasis on indicators such as population and household profiles, marriage and fertility, maternal and child health, delivery care, child immunisation, treatment and childhood diseases and anaemia among children and women, an official spokesperson said.
On concerns such as anaemia and iron-deficiency amongst the female population, the Lt Governor said the department must develop a proper mechanism to increase iron as well as other necessary supplements in the diet for the female population.
The department must work hand-in-hand with the ICDS program to achieve results, he said.
Also Read: Policy Makers Need To Focus On The First 1,000 Days Of Life: Experts React To NFHS-5 Survey Trends
Discussing maternal and child health, Mr Mathur said all possible measures must be put in place to provide required facilities to expecting mothers and directed the department to ensure an immediate District Magistrate level review to give suggestions to reduce child mortality rate in both the districts, with inclusion of the migrant population as well.
Mr Mathur also stressed that the medical department, including Primary Health Centers, must be equipped with all necessary facilities for assisting safe deliveries, the spokesperson said. Initiatives such as developing a strong paramedic or nursing system by means of imparting training from renowned medical institutes may be undertaken in order to assist secure deliveries in far-flung areas, the Lt Governor said. The meeting also considered setting up of a dedicated mobile ambulance with facilities for screening cervical as well as breast cancer, the spokesperson said.
Also Read: Early Initiation Of Breastfeeding Declines In 12 States And Union Territories, Reveals NFHS-5 Report
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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