Guj CM launches state-wide campaigns against malnutrition

Ahmedabad, May 28: Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Sunday, May 29 launched launched two state-wide campaigns against malnutrition at Ahwa town in Dangs district.

As part of 'Bal Amritam' and 'Mission Shakti' campaigns, iron-rich supplementary food would be provided to children and women, whether they live in towns or remote forested areas, she said.

She also called for creating awareness among tribal women about free screening and treatment of breast and cervical cancers at government hospitals, an official release said here.

The chief minister also urged the people to take a pledge to work towards bringing down the infant and maternity mortality rates in this tribal-dominated district to the state's average.

During her speech, she also slammed Congress, claiming "the same people who exploited tribal people as a vote-bank and didn't undertake development works for the last sixty years are now trying to create obstacles (in development)."

During her visit Patel dedicated several projects to the people. They include a nursing school for 40 students and a hostel built at a cost of Rs 12.70 crore, a science college built for Rs 11 core and modernisation of a civil hospital a at cost of Rs 31.46 crore.

PTI