Project 'Samagra' | 09 Dec 2022

Why In News?

On December 8, 2022, an MoU was signed between the state government and the American India Foundation (AIF) for the implementation of project 'Samagra' to eliminate the level of malnutrition in the state and achieve the goal of well-nourished Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

  • Director Women and Child Development Dr. Ram Rao Bhonsle and Director Public Health American India Foundation Dr. Mahesh Shrivas signed the MoU in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary Women and Child Development Ashok Shah.
  • Additional Chief Secretary Ashok Shah said that the main objective of project 'Samagra' is to improve the nutritional level of children, increase learning ability and create opportunities for empowerment of women and increase their income.
  • Director, Women and Child Development Bhonsle said that in the project Samagra, about 10 thousand children of 6 years of age are being benefited from Zero in Gyaraspur block of Vidisha district. This pilot project will reach 229 Anganwadis, 184 self-help groups and 112 SHG kitchens in Gyaraspur block.
  • He said that the American India Foundation Project Samagra Anganwadi Centers will skill frontline and health workers to provide THR and cooked hot meals for children under 6 years of age, quality home-based care and nutrition counseling to sick children.
  • In addition, the American India Foundation will strengthen linkages for timely referral of severely malnourished children and ensure school readiness for children under the age of 6, as well as provide need-based learning materials to Anganwadi centres.
  • AIF Country Director Matthew Joseph said that this partnership with the Women and Child Development Department in Madhya Pradesh will give special attention to women, children and youth. To assess the success of the project, end line surveys and regular assessment of progress and preparation of periodic process reports will be prepared and shared with the state from time to time.