Mission Santript

MISSION SANTRIPT

AN INITIATIVE OF DISTRICT WEST

Mission Santript is a District level initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of malnutrition, specifically targeting SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) and MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition) children. This mission aligns with the broader objectives of POSHAN Abhiyaan and other malnutrition-focused programs. The initiative was launched after a survey under the Poshan Abhiyan campaign identified 47 Severely Malnourished Children (January 2025 on PTA dashboard) in a part of West Delhi. Project Santript adopts a comprehensive approach, combining health and social welfare schemes to address malnutrition. It involves medical camps, dietary counselling, and collaboration between the Women and Child Development (WCD) and Health Departments.

Role of the Innovation:

The innovation addresses malnutrition in SAM and MAM children through:

1. Early Detection: Introducing tools or methodologies to identify malnourished children at an early stage.
2. Community-Based Solutions: Providing home-based care and therapeutic interventions for SAM/MAM children.
3. Nutritional Products: Developing or distributing fortified food, therapeutic foods, or locally prepared nutrient-rich meals.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Leveraging technology (e.g., mobile apps) for tracking child health progress and ensuring timely intervention.

Key Aspects of Mission Santript:

1. Data-Driven Identification: The initiative began with a survey under the Poshan Abhiyan campaign, which revealed that 47 (January 2025 on PTA dashboard) children in a specific area of West Delhi were suffering from SAM. This data-driven approach ensured that interventions were targeted and effective.
2. Interdepartmental Collaboration: Recognizing the multifaceted nature of malnutrition, Mission Santript brought together the Women and Child Development (WCD) and Health Departments. This collaboration facilitated comprehensive medical camps across the district, ensuring that children received both medical assessments and dietary counselling.
3. Medical and Dietary Interventions: Children identified with SAM underwent appetite tests to determine appropriate interventions. Depending on the results, they received either dietary support or immediate medical care. In severe cases, children were admitted to hospitals for urgent treatment, ensuring no child in need was overlooked.
4. Community Engagement and Education: Understanding the importance of community involvement, the initiative faced challenges in convincing parents to participate. To address this, National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) workers conducted workshops to educate and motivate mothers about proper nutrition and medical care. Plans were also made to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to provide social support to these families.
5. Continuous Monitoring and Future Planning: Mission Santript emphasized regular follow-ups to monitor the children’s progress, focusing on adherence to dietary and medical interventions. Given that many affected families were migratory, the program also tracked their movements to ensure continuity of care. Additionally, events like ‘Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby’ show were planned to raise awareness and celebrate the initiative’s successes.