Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
3. Discuss the pitfalls in ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan interventions as a cause of concern in so far eradicating nutritional deficiency in mother and child in India. What interventions would you suggest to overcome these pitfalls? (15M)
Difficulty level: Difficult
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
India has 20% to 30% undernutrition even in the first six months of life when exclusive breastfeeding is the only nourishment required. Neither maternal nutrition care interventions nor infant and young child feeding practices has shown the desired improvement.
Key Demand of the question:
Enumerate the issues with ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan and give what needs to be done. You can take pointers from the articles but also need to research a bit.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly describe issues with India’s child and mother nutritional issues by citing data from NHFS 5.0
Body:
First, briefly describe the scheme and give issues with ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan.
E.g., Poor coverage by the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in urban areas because of higher population density, transportation challenges and migration.
Issue with Nutritional Policy: Poorest states and those with the highest levels of undernutrition still have the lowest levels of program funding and coverage by ICDS activities.
Then give interventions that can be taken with examples, if possible.
E.g., a maternal nutritional policy.
Conclusion:
Give a positive viewpoint. E.g., Despite slow progress, India is moving towards better and assured mother-child care nutrition.
