PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD) minister Rekha Arya said that Anganwadi workers are a vital link in delivering the government’s public welfare schemes to the last mile. She said this while participating in “Angan Milan Seva” programme organised as part of “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan” at Anganwadi Centre Nanda Ki Chowki in Dehradun on Monday. During the programme, she performed baby showers for pregnant women and distributed Mahalakshmi kits, baby kits and nutrition kits to beneficiary women and adolescent girls.
“Anganwadi centres are not only meant for distributing nutrition, but are also a powerful medium for strengthening maternal and child health, child development and health and nutrition of adolescent girls,” she stated, adding that the State government is implementing various welfare schemes for nutrition and health of pregnant and lactating women, newborns and adolescent girls.
“These schemes aim to provide better nutrition to women and children, raise health awareness and extend benefits of government schemes to needy families. The government is providing essential support to maternal and child health through schemes such as Mahalakshmi Kit, Baby Kit and Nutrition Kit,” she mentioned.
She added that benefits of public welfare schemes implemented by the Central government are also being extended to eligible families, while the State government is continuously working to ensure effective implementation of these schemes.
During the programme, Arya interacted with women and girls present, listened to their needs and problems and also received their suggestions.
Lauding the vital role being played by Anganwadi workers in delivering government schemes to remote and rural areas, the WECD minister said that they work to ensure child nutrition, care for pregnant and lactating women and raise awareness about health and nutrition among adolescent girls.
