Awareness campaign to promote complementary feeding practices launched in Odisha

Bhubaneshwar: Department of Women and Children Development and Mission Shakti today launched a statewide awareness campaign to promote complementary feeding practices in Odisha for optimal growth of children between 6 months and 24 months. The statewide awareness campaign will extend till 2019 end.

The Chief Guest, Prafulla Samal Minister for Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti, MSME and SSEPD released the campaign material and a compendium of nutritious recipes using locally available foods. One IEC van carrying the messages was also flagged off by the minister.

Right food at the right age with adequate nutrition is required for optimal growth and development of a child. After six months, an infant needs both breast milk and complementary foods — i.e. solid, semi-solid or soft foods to ensure that infants grow and develop to their full potential.

Recognising the importance of complementary foods and feeding practices for the young children, Department Of Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti in collaboration with Department of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha and UNICEF are initiating this campaign across the state.