146th WHO EB Agenda Item 18: Maternal, Infant & Young Child Nutrition – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary (Geneva, 3-8 February 2020) 146th WHO EB Agenda Item 18: Maternal, Infant & Young Child Nutrition – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Ala..

146th WHO EB Agenda Item 18: Maternal, Infant & Young Child Nutrition – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary

Thank You Mr. Chair,

We are committed to achieving the global nutrition targets, and are working for addressing the challenges of anaemia and low birth weight. We are on track for improving exclusive breastfeeding and reducing childhood overweight.

Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN Abhiyaan), a multi-Ministerial convergence mission envisages the attainment of malnutrition-free-India. The “Anemia Mukt Bharat” (AMB) programme is a comprehensive approach to reduce the prevalence of anaemia through life cycle approach.

Our Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act (2003) aims to restrict marketing for breast milk substitutes. Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are being promoted through the “Mothers Absolute Affection (MAA)” programme. The Home based Young Child (HBYC) care programme has been initiated to improve nutritional status, growth and early childhood development. Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres have been established to provide appropriate facility based care for sick Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children.

Further, ‘The Eat Right Movement’ and “Fit India Movement” are steps to promote awareness on healthy and balanced diet and exercise. And the Health and Wellness Centres as envisaged in “Ayushman Bharat” would play a key role in strengthening comprehensive implementation of these strategies in promotion of health and well-being.

Thank you.