Megh govt emphasises on eradication of malnutrition

Shillong, Sep 6 (UNI) The Meghalaya government is determined to eradicate malnutrition in the state as a healthy nation is a precondition for its economic development.

Addressing a state level workshop on the theme ''Nutrition Promotion for a Stronger Nation'' at Soso Tham auditorium here today, state Social Welfare Department Director C C M Mihsil said his department is implementing the national nutrition programme in all the 39 blocks of Meghalaya covering about 3,50,000 beneficiaries, with about 3,80,000 more beneficiaries to be covered during the current year (2007-08).

He stressed the need to spread proper nutritional awareness among all sections of the people.

The weeklong workshop was organised by the Food&Nutrition Board, under the Union Ministry of Women&Child Development.

Mr N. Baishya, Demonstration Officer, Food&Nutrition Board said the aim of the workshop was to highlight nutritional education in the state.

He said malnutrition today is an obstacle in the country's progress, due to deficiency of micronutrients in the diet and faulty food habits of the people.

However, in the NE Region, the state of Mizoram occupies the first position for adopting breast feeding methods in the country, with Meghalaya in the third position. However, iodine deficiency still remains dominant among the population in the region, he said.

UNI