Success-Stories-on-Health-Sector

chhattisgarh
role of Mitanin in coMMunity ManageD nutrition cuM
Day care centres - fulwari scheMe
ProbleM stateMent
Poor maternal and child nutrition indicators in the
State of Chhattisgarh are a result of several factors
including gaps in food security, feeding and health care
behaviours including care-seeking for infants and young
children and a paucity of time for childcare by mothers
and caregivers on account of high workloads.
PrograMMe DescriPtion
A Nutrition and Daycare initiative, the Fulwari Scheme
was piloted in 2012 in Surguja district in 300 centres with
5000 children and pregnant women. It was a collaborative
effort between the Zila Panchayat and the State Health
Resource Centre (SHRC). The focus was on the critical age
group of under-three, recognized as a neglected group in
mainstream nutrition programmes.
The Fulwari functioning relies on community participation.
The space for the Fulwari is a voluntary contribution from
a community member. The Fulwari provides three, hot,
cooked meals daily to children aged 6 months to 3 years.
Pregnant and lactating women also get one meal a day at
the Fulwari. There is no provision for a paid worker in
Fulwari and two mothers volunteer each day to take care
of children for 6-7 hours, for no compensation except a
meal. This organization of work enables other mothers to
go for work, leaving their children at the Fulwari.
Although poor communities are a priority for establishing
the Fulwari, community meetings facilitated by Mitanin
Trainers are used to gauge the readiness and commitment
of parents/mothers to contributing their time. Once there
is community agreement, the Gram Panchayat (GP)
representatives and community send a demand note to
the Block Panchayat. The funds for buying food items are
provided by Government through the GP. All purchases
for Fulwari are handled by the mothers. They also decide
the menu, which includes the addition of eggs, oils and
vegetables. Mothers also contribute the Take Home Rations
of the ICDS to the Fulwari.
Mitanins and Mitanin trainers play a crucial role in
bringing the group together, maintaining accounts and
records and overall management. Mitanins promote health
related behaviours such as hand washing, proper handling
of drinking water, covering foodstuffs, cleanliness and
hygiene through demonstration in the Fulwari.
22 | MAkING A Difference : Good, Replicable and Innovative Practices