- In two years, 357 severely malnourished children have found new life; the Nutrition Rehabilitation Center has become a ray of hope.
The positive results of the state government’s continuous efforts towards a malnutrition-free Chhattisgarh, led by Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, are now clearly visible on the ground. In this regard, the Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC) at the Mahasamund District Hospital has emerged as a center of new hope and lifeline for severely malnourished children.
Operated under the guidance of Collector Shri Vinay Langeh, this center has successfully treated 357 severely malnourished children in the last two years and reconnected them to the mainstream of a healthy life. This achievement is considered an inspiring example of the coordinated efforts of the Health Department and the Women and Child Development Department. The
15-bed NRC, operated at the district hospital, provides completely free treatment, specialized medical supervision, and balanced nutrition to severely malnourished children aged 1 month to 5 years. During treatment, children are provided with F-75 and F-100 therapeutic foods, formula milk, and easily digestible and nutritious foods such as porridge, khichdi, halwa, and idli, which rapidly improves their weight and health.
A key feature of the center is that it fully addresses the nutritional and care needs of mothers living with their children. They are provided with nutritious meals twice daily, and upon completion of the treatment period, they receive financial assistance of ₹2,250. Mothers are also given practical training in preparing delicious, balanced, and nutritious meals for their children using locally sourced food, ensuring their nutritional status remains high even after returning home. The
admission process at the NRC has also been simplified. Children can be admitted directly on the recommendation of Anganwadi workers, Mitanins, or on the initiative of their parents, providing immediate assistance to families in need.
Mrs. Sheela Pradhan, supervisor of the Women and Child Development Department, stated that 13 children are currently receiving treatment out of the center’s 15 seats. She added that a three-year-old severely underweight girl from Vishwakarma Nagar was recently admitted to the center. Her mother is confident that after 14 days of specialized nutritional care and treatment, her daughter will return home healthy.
This Nutrition Rehabilitation Center in Mahasamund not only provides treatment for children, but has also emerged as an effective model for community awareness against malnutrition, maternal empowerment, and nutrition education. This initiative demonstrates that effective control of severe malnutrition is possible through sensitive administration, a trained health system, and community participation. Such initiatives are playing a vital role in strengthening the ongoing Mission Suposhan and Poshan Abhiyaan in the state.
