Award Recognition

• The NITI ayog CEO, B. V. R. awarded it Subrahmanyam at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
• The district ranked the third in the country in terms of health and nutrition category which showed its data-based, scalable model of child welfare.
• The award recognizes the innovation and in the district, community engagement and the positive contribution on the alleviation of child malnutrition.

“SAM-MAM in children” Initiative

• The program targets children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).
• It relies on a community-based identification and treatment model – it utilizes anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and the use of local health volunteers.
• The children are tracked with the growth charts, weight tracking, and nutritional evaluation.
• Recovery increased by half to three quarters with introduction of fortified take home rations.
• The program incorporated regular health check-ups, parental guidance and nutritional awareness drives.

“Hamar Swasth Laika Campaign”

• The campaign, which was initiated in September 2024, focuses on awareness, community mobilization and prevention nutrition.
• Emphasis is laid on early malnutrition identification, balanced nutrition and participation of mothers in feeding habits.
• It has enhanced the nutritional surveillance of the district that has led to the provision of timely interventions and low levels of malnutrition.

Community Collaboration

• The project has included health, women and child development departments, local panchayats and self-help groups (SHGs).
• The program was locally owned by regular village level camps, cooking demonstrations and mother child health sessions.
• This decentralized method meant sustainability and transparency of implementation.

Additional Info

• The SAM-MAM management program is consistent with National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) and Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) guidelines provided by UNICEF.
• The method is currently in the process of being examined as an example that can be replicated by other districts in Chhattisgarh, and India at large.
• The components targeted by the program include behavioral change communication, fortified nutrition, and multi-sectoral coordination to make a lasting impact.
• It has a direct correlation with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

About SAM & MAM in Children

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM):

• Weight-height z-score (WHZ) less than -3 SD or less than MUAC less than 11.5 cm or bilateral pitting edema.
• Life-threatening emergency treatment, either in the community or the hospital.

Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM):

• WHZ -3 to -2 SD or MUAC 11.5 -12.5 cm is without edema.
• Controlled by additional feeding schemes and body mass index.

Major Causes:

• Poor feeding, poverty, poor sanitation and inadequate diet.

Management:

• MAM: This is treated with the use of community nutrition programs, fortified foods, and counseling.

SAM:

• Less complicated cases: Treated at home using Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
• Complex cases: Inpatient care consisting of medical services and a gradual refeeding process.

Prevention:

• Breastfeeding 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.
• Proper supplemental nutrition.
• Mother nutrition, immunization, and hygiene.

Conclusion 

The success of the community-based nutrition programs is highlighted by outreach to the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district. Its campaigns, like SAM-MAM in Children and Hamar Swasth Laika, indicate a positive change in child health. The success shows Chhattisgarh as a proactive state in dealing with malnutrition by being innovative and cooperative. It establishes a national standard in sustainable community-based models of managing malnutrition.