Jharkhand Launches 8th National Nutrition Month to Combat Malnutrition and Promote Local Foods | Ranchi News

Ranchi: The 8th National Nutrition Month (Poshan Maah) was launched statewide on Thursday under the Poshan Abhiyan scheme, with a month-long drive planned across the state to combat malnutrition and anaemia through nutrition awareness, health check-ups, and community engagement.At the state-level inauguration in Ranchi, officials said the campaign will highlight the importance of traditional Jharkhandi food, maternal health, and healthy eating practices. Over the next fortnight, nearly 4,000 camps will be organised daily in different districts, involving health workers, anganwadi sevikas, and sahiyas. The programme also includes poster releases, food competitions, and awareness activities in villages and schools.Addressing the launch, chief secretary (health) Ajoy Kumar stressed the role of local food in improving nutrition. “Jharkhand has more than 100 unique traditional dishes, most developed by rural women. If we promote these recipes on social media, they can have a global impact. People should reduce sugar, refined flour, and oil, and increase vegetables and fruits on their plate. A healthy mother ensures a healthy child,” he said.

Kumar noted that while Jharkhand performs better than the national average in infant and maternal mortality rates, institutional deliveries remain an area needing improvement. He underlined the responsibility of grassroots workers to mobilise women for free health check-ups during the campaign.Social welfare secretary Manoj Kumar said the focus this year is on six themes, including promoting balanced diets, incorporating local foods, updating nutrition trackers, and involving men in discussions on women’s health. “We cannot imagine a healthy Jharkhand without healthy women. Half the population’s health must be prioritised for the state to progress,” he said.The launch also recognised frontline workers from Khunti and Ramgarh districts for promoting local food recipes.