In News

• A new standardised Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children (Protocol) was launched by Union Minister of Women and Child Development.

About Protocol
• The Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children has been jointly prepared by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India.
• The protocol will be a core component of the efforts by MoWCD to reduce malnutrition through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0.
• The protocol clearly describes the process of assessing and caring for malnourished children through the Anganwadi and medical ecosystem.
• The newly launched protocol for identification and management of malnourished children provides detailed steps for identification and management of malnourished children at the Anganwadi level, including decision making regarding referral, nutritional management and follow-up care.
• The key steps, explained in the protocol, include, Growth Monitoring & Screening, Appetite Test for SAM children, Medical Assessment, Decision making regarding level of care, Nutritional Management, Medical Management, Nutrition, Health Education & counselling including WASH practices, Home Visit by AWW and Referral, Duration of Monitoring and Follow-up Care.
• The new guidelines will check malnutrition among children.
• The identification of malnourished children and their treatment is an integral aspect of Mission Poshan 2.0 and more than 17 crore activities have taken place during the ‘poshan maah’ (nutrition month).
• This is the first time this issue would be addressed at the Anganwadi level, including decision-making for referral, nutritional management and follow-up care.

Source- PIB