Latest news with #PoshanAbhiyaan
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
A future at risk: Prioritising women, children, adolescents
The last few months have proven to be catastrophic for global health and development. Sector-wide funding cuts and a lack of alternative options, and a pushback on critical rights, threaten the gains made over recent decades. This is when access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women and girls, continues to be inadequate. And maternal deaths remain unacceptably high. As per the latest WHO estimates, a maternal death occurred nearly every two minutes in 2023, and every day in 2023, over 700 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. WHO also estimates that globally, one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experiences a mental health issue, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds. According to Unicef, globally in 2023, an estimated 13% of adolescent girls and young women gave birth before age 18. Global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Every Woman Every Child initiative have driven progress, yet we are not on track to meet our targets by 2030. The cost of inaction is too high. Between now and 2050, it is estimated that the world will lose over $110 trillion in potential benefits if we fail to invest in adolescent well-being alone. Change must begin with three key shifts. First, we must put women, children, and adolescents at the centre of policies and investments. We must prioritise and invest in health systems and interventions that are people-centred, inclusive, and resilient, particularly for those who have historically been left behind. This includes scaling up integrated SRHR services, mental health support, and nutrition interventions. Second, we must ensure youth-driven and youth-co-owned solutions. Adolescents must not be seen as passive beneficiaries but as co-creators of the systems and services they use. When young people are empowered to lead — through youth-led accountability, advocacy, and research — we see smarter, more sustainable results. Third, we must strengthen partnerships and accountability. Governments, civil society, the private sector, and multilateral actors must work together in partnership, through shared action, resources, and decision-making. India offers a powerful example of what's possible. It has reduced maternal mortality from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 per 100,000 live births in 2018-20, and expanded access to care through initiatives such as Janani Suraksha Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, which promote institutional deliveries and access to skilled care. Child health has also seen marked progress through programmes like Mission Indradhanush, expanding immunisation coverage, and Poshan Abhiyaan, addressing malnutrition at scale. For adolescents, the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) has created a strong platform for delivering age-appropriate health services. As the largest alliance for women, children, and adolescents, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) is bringing together partners to focus on the need for urgent and swift implementation of the World Health Assembly Resolution on Maternal and Child Health, which calls for strengthened health systems, increased investments, and enhanced accountability. We have the tools. We have the evidence. Now, we must act — with urgency, with boldness, and in solidarity. A healthier, more equitable world isn't a luxury — it's a necessity, a must-have. Rajat Khosla is executive director, PMNCH, and Helen Clark, PMNCH Board Chair and former Prime Minister, New Zealand. The views expressed are personal
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Poshan Abhiyaan to fight malnutrition, improve health and economic productivity: Minister
New Delhi: Poshan Abhiyaan will fight malnutrition among women and children, which will improve health and boost economic productivity in the country, said Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road, Transport and Highways here on Friday. Malhotra noted that nutrition plays a vital role in a child's growth and adequate nutrition is essential for children to reach their full potential. He added that a well-balanced diet can have long-term benefits for their physical and emotional development. 'By addressing malnutrition and promoting good nutrition, Poshan Abhiyan can have a tremendous impact on India's human capital, economic productivity, and wholesome sustainable development,' said Malhotra. 'Poshan Abhiyaan is Modi Government's effort to make a visible shift towards malnutrition reduction and improved health, wellness and immunity,' he added. As part of the Poshan Abhiyaan, the Minister also distributed around 300 nutrition kits to the beneficiaries at Aggarwal Dharamshala Bhawan, Shakarpur, Delhi. "Poshan Abhiyan is a crucial initiative for tackling malnutrition in the country and has advocated for a mission mode approach to address the situation,' Malhotra said. 'The campaign targets children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers -- a testament to the Modi Government's focus on the holistic development of the community,' he added. Malhotra also applauded the Poshan Tracker which enables real-time monitoring of nutrition services at Anganwadi Centres where the beneficiaries can now self-register via the Poshan Tracker Web App for improved access. The Poshan Tracker enables Anganwadi Workers to manage attendance, growth monitoring, meal distribution, and early childhood education, ensuring that beneficiaries are well-tracked and supported. "Let's make a commitment to work together, ensuring that every child, mother, and family in India has access to nutritious food and a healthy future, " the Minister said. He stated that "access to better nutrition today can help for a brighter future tomorrow" which would transform the nation into a Healthier and Viksit Bharat.
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
UP: CM Yogi urges 'Nation First' mindset at CMS, Lucknow
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 10 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday attended an event at City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where he stressed on social media-related concerns in the times of escalating tensions in the country, and urged the public to put 'nation first.' The Chief Minister expressed concern about some people trying to weaken the morale of the armed forces through social media. 'Today, a few people post tweets on social media that aim to weaken the morale of our soldiers. Why is this happening? Everyone's goal should be 'Nation First.' When someone works with the spirit of keeping the nation above all, they build a generation that ensures the country's safety and self-reliance,' he said. CM Yogi paid tribute to CMS founder, the late Jagdish Gandhi, and praised that he did not give up. With courage and dedication, they created something meaningful in the field of education,' he said. He highlighted that CMS now has around 65,000 students, which is a 'major achievement.' The Chief Minister also appreciated a cultural performance by students on the theme of 'Adi Yogi.' CM Yogi honored students who secured first rank and thanked the teachers for their contribution to education. 'About 70 years ago, Jagdish Gandhi and Bharti Gandhi came to Lucknow with nothing but their hard work. Thanks to your efforts, CMS has earned a special place across the country,' he said. Earlier on Friday, while speaking in a meeting in Lucknow which was also attended by the President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, CM Yogi welcomed Banga and mentioned that the state government is seeking support from the World Bank for the UP-AGREES programme to enhance agricultural productivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh. 'On behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh, I welcome Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, to Uttar Pradesh. The productivity of agriculture in the western part of Uttar Pradesh is much higher than in the eastern part. To increase productivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh as well, we have sought help from the World Bank in the UP-AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Development and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening) program,' CM Yogi stated. CM Yogi added, 'Poshan Abhiyaan is an important mission being run by the World Bank, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, we have taken steps in this direction in Uttar Pradesh. Take-Home Ration (THR) is one of the steps in that direction. The World Bank team will also visit the Take-Home Ration (THR) plant in Lucknow.' (ANI)
