Sukshema screens children aged three to six for anaemia and malnutrition and then stays with each child who is identified until they are better. Management is deliberately multidimensional: health education for families, supportive supervision by the Trust's team, and supplementation to combat anaemia and malnutrition directly. Parents and caregivers are taught about balanced nutrition and hygiene so that the gains last after the program team has moved on.
Prevention runs alongside treatment. SEEDS — Supporting Community Engagement and Empowerment for Developing Sustainable Child Growth — works with children aged 12 to 36 months in Doddabathi village, and an Anaemia Prevention Program covers children aged 36 to 59 months in Kakkargolla and Arasapura. Both aim to break the cycle of intergenerational malnutrition and anaemia before it takes hold.
After the intervention, an anaemia completion program was organised to re-check the children. More than 90% of the beneficiary children showed improvement in their haemoglobin and nutritional status. The Trust's Sukshema team has also presented its findings on iron and folic acid syrup and on the locally prepared 'Health Mix' at national nutrition conferences.
Results so far
How it works
- Screen in the anganwadiThe team visits anganwadi centres and checks every child aged three to six for haemoglobin, weight and height.
- Treat and supplementChildren found anaemic or malnourished receive supplementation and supportive supervision, and their parents are counselled on balanced nutrition and hygiene.
- Re-check and completeAn anaemia completion program re-tests each child; those still needing care are referred onward through the affiliate hospitals.
In the field
