Poshan Maah in Hailakandi: Focus on identification, tracking of SAM children

Sept.15: As part of the ongoing Poshan Maah, identification and tracking of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children and providing referral services were conducted at Panchgram Kalinagar Part II here on Monday. Trudging for several kms, crossing river by boat and rickety bamboo bridges, the Poshan team reached Anganwadi centres situated in hilly and inaccessible areas and also close to the banks of Barak river. District Coordinator, Poshan Abhiyan, Rajat Chakraborty said 11 numbers of children have been identified under SAM category. The tagline of the theme is #SAM Mukt Hailakandi Campaign.

The team of Poshan along with District Coordinator, Chakraborty and Supervisor, Panchgram Kalinagar Circle, Supra Dey visited the households and provided referral services to nine SAM children. Growth monitoring activity was also carried out. “Out of 11 numbers of SAM children, nine numbers have been identified and treated. Some are found underweight and stunting. However, wasting is nil. Two numbers of children were conspicuous by their absence as the parents did not allow them to get treated because of Corona Rapid Antigen Test fear,” quipped Chakraborty.

Children suffering from SAM are visibly weak, have very low weight and height for their age and show severe signs of muscle wasting. Hailakandi is home to an estimated 1,783 underweight children under five years, 329 severely wasted children under five years along with about 1,870 children under five years with weight-for-height ‘Z’ scores between -2 and -3.50, according to the Social Welfare department records.

Meanwhile, capacity building training of the concerned Anganwadi workers will be conducted from Wednesday following which masks, sanitisers and gloves will be distributed.