Vadodara, August 10, 2009: As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3, 2005-06) 22% of newborns in Gujarat are low birth weight, 47% of children below three years are underweight and 80% of them are anemic. The infant and young child feeding indicators like early initiation of breastfeeding (27%); exclusively breast feeding (48%); and timely complementary feeding (57%) reveal a dismal picture. The infant mortality rate is 53/1000 live births which is somewhat similar to the national average (57/1000 live births), (SRS, 2006)

The District Level Health Survey (DLHS-3; 2007-2008) data for rural areas of Vadodara district shows that only 39% are institutional births, 55% of children are fully immunized and less than half mothers receive post partum care. At the same time vital registration and recording and monitoring of key nutrition-health indicators in the rural areas also remains sub optimal (73%) (Deepak Foundation, 2008-09)

Deepak Foundation is one of the twenty-one civil society organizations from across South Asia to win grant funded by South Asia Region Development Marketplace. It was sponsored by UNICEF, World Food Programme, PepsiCo, the Micronutrient Initiative, GTZ (Germany) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Titled “Family and Community Approaches to Improve Infant and Young Child Nutrition”, the competition was designed to identify some of the most innovative ideas to improve nutrition, focusing especially on children under two years of age and pregnant women. It drew nearly 1000 applications from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and through a vigorous assessment process by international development experts, the applicants were narrowed down to 60 finalists who showcased their ideas in a two day seminar held on 5th and 6th August, 09 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The proposed project leverages on the joint implementation of various government schemes implemented by departments such as Department of Women and Child Development ( Anganwadi worker), Department of Health and Family Welfare ( Auxiliary Nurse Midwife and ASHAs) & Department of Rural Development ( Panchayat Raj Institution workers) and promote parental and community participation by using a cultural tool.

The convergence of VHSCs with water committees under Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO) will raise awareness on importance of clean drinking water and create awareness on nutrition-health issues, ensure distribution of fortified complementary food premix and iron supplements.