CMAM Pilot Projects
Significant efforts to address issues regarding nutrition have been taken up the central as well as state level. While the central government has launched a comprehensive POSHAN the programme which includes a Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) identification drive, there is the expectation of the minimum marriage age to be revised as well as the draft India Community based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) guidelines and the country level adaptations build on the relatively strong community platforms for early case detection, community-based management and referral in India.
Many states and organizations have been using different models of programmes to address the problem of malnutrition. Programmes on food fortification and CMAM have helped reduce the levels of nutrient deficiencies in various parts of the country. These include CMAM pilots in various states and the Balamrutham initiative in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
POSHAN Maah
Since 2018, the month of September has been celebrated as Poshan Maah i.e. Nutrition month. It is an initiative under the POSHAN Abhiyaan, and includes a month-long activities focussed on antenatal care, optimal breastfeeding, anaemia, growth monitoring, girls education, diet, right age of marriage, hygiene and sanitation and eating healthy (food fortification).
