Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: As many as 701 malnourished children across Goa have been identified and provided targeted nutritional support through the Poshan Tracker under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, highlighting the State’s data-driven approach to child nutrition.
Quoting the Health Minister, officials said the Poshan Tracker enabled real-time identification of severely acute malnourished (SAM) and moderately acute malnourished (MAM) children, followed by structured and closely monitored interventions. Children in the age group of 6 months to 3 years were given energy-dense, micronutrient-fortified premixes and fortified rice, along with cooking demonstrations for parents tailored to local food habits. For children aged 3 to 6 years, customised hot cooked meals with weekly menus were introduced to ensure nutritional adequacy and acceptance.
“This is not a one-time intervention but a comprehensive system where every one of the 701 identified children is tracked daily. Diet monitoring, Anganwadi and home visits, timely medical referrals and active Mother and Child Committees at every Anganwadi Centre ensure no child slips through the cracks,” Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said.
He added that initiatives such as Poshan Maah, Poshan Pakhwada, Nutri Gardens and compulsory daily physical activity for children have strengthened prevention and long-term nutritional outcomes.
According to Rane, these sustained efforts have helped keep Goa’s SAM, MAM and underweight ratios below the national average, while stunting and wasting have shown a steady decline. He noted that Goa’s model was acknowledged at the Western Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and nationally recognised with the Gold SKOCH Award 2025 for improving childhood nutrition through Anganwadis.
“With sustained focus, on-ground action and measurable outcomes, Goa is ensuring that all 701 identified children receive timely care, setting a benchmark for child nutrition governance in the country,” the Health Minister said.
