Odisha to open 150 model crèches for kids to provide nutrition

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government is planning to open 150 model crèches in cut off areas of five districts for children to deal with the malnutrition issue.

The crèches will be established especially in tribal and cut off areas where the infants and children between age group six months and 3 years will be accommodated facilitating them proper healthcare services, said a senior official in the health department yesterday.

The model crèche will be expanded further to other regions once it gets success in five districts, he added.

Recently, Odisha government has signed MoU with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) to expedite the nutrition programme in the state.

Notably, the percentage of Maternal mortality rate (MMR) and Infant mortality rate (IMR) declined to 40% in 2015-16 in Odisha as compared to the year 2005-06. With opening up more number of model crèches, it will help to sort out the malnutrition issues in cut off areas.