CFTRI launches nutrition programme for malnourished preschoolers

Mysuru: City-based premier R&D institute CFTRI launched a nutrition intervention programme for malnourished preschool children in Mysuru district on Friday.This is a joint project initiated by CFTRI and Bank Note Paper Mill India, an RBI unit. The initiative has been taken up under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. It will be executed in association with the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services (DHFW) and the Directorate of Women and Child Development Department (DWCD).The project was launched in the presence of Thalikerappa, managing director of BNPM; B Basavaraj, deputy director of Women and Child; Dr Mohammed Shiraz Ahmed, reproductive and child health officer (RCHO). CFTRI director Sridevi Annapurna Singh was also present.Thalikerappa launched the project by distributing nutrition food supplement kits to five malnourished children. He assured that Bank Note Paper Mill India is ready to provide more funds under the CSR initiative for the eradication of anaemia in pregnant women across the state.Speaking on the occasion, Basavaraj said the ICDS programme, which was incepted in 1975 with the involvement of state and central govts, reduced malnutrition over the years. He said the CFTRI nutrition intervention programmes that provide additional nutrient supplements are required for reducing malnutrition among children. He also mentioned that such intervention programmes have to be extended to adolescent girls in tribal regions.Dr Ahmed said additional nutritional supplements are required for filling the gaps in the nutritional adequacies of children. He also highlighted that child undernutrition is the outcome of maternal malnutrition and providing nutrition intervention to pregnant women would be a good strategy for improving child nutritional status.The CFTRI director mentioned that alleviation of malnutrition through nutrition intervention requires a combined effort. Dharanikumara, chief general manager, BNPM, and the doctors from MMCRI, Mysuru, Dr Nayas Pasha, Dr Rangaswamy, and Dr Shubha Jayaram also attended the event. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes, messages and quotes !