No. of opening 1
Apply By: 18th june 2023
Location: Telangana
Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The prevalence of stunting, a measure of chronic malnutrition, among children under five years has declined from 36.2% in NFHS-4 to 31.4% in NFHS-5. Similarly, the prevalence of wasting, indicating acute malnutrition, has decreased from 17.2% to 14.9%. The prevalence of underweight children under five years remains high at 27.2%. However, the context in Telangana has some additional challenges, NFHS-5 (2021) data indicates that around 33% (approx. 16,90,453) of children in the state of Telangana are chronically deprived of nutrition, hence impacting their overall growth and development and in the long run their intellectual and earning capacity. Telangana’s performance in the case of acute malnutrition indicator is also a cause of concern, with around 18% children being wasted in the state. Similarly, 31% of children are underweight, indicating the state's huge burden of acute and chronic malnutrition. Disparities in child nutrition exist based on various factors. Children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, those in rural areas, and those with mothers having lower education levels face higher levels of malnutrition.
Efforts to address these challenges require a multi-faceted approach. Interventions should focus on improving access to quality healthcare, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, enhancing complementary feeding practices, addressing micronutrient deficiencies, and creating awareness about balanced diets and proper nutrition. Targeted programs and policies that address the specific needs of vulnerable populations can help reduce disparities and improve child nutrition outcomes in Telangana.
The present position will support the state of Telangana in implementation of the planned interventions with Departments of Women and Child Welfare and Health and Family Welfare on identification of growth faltering, streamlining complementary feeding and ECD. The consultant will also support the scale up strategy for the interventions under Poshan Abhiyaan.
Scope of Work:
This consultancy will provide technical assistance to the State to support evidence-based planning, budgeting and monitoring of key nutrition interventions and flagships using a system strengthening approach with a focus on targets planned under IYCN and ECD components.
The consultancy will focus on the following:
Framework for identification of growth faltering among children under 2 available with algorithm of action to be taken. IYCN and ECD interventions embedded in the framework.
Develop an implementation and monitoring framework to assess the level of service delivery on the above
Work Assignments Overview
Year 1: July to December 2024
