She heads battalion-fighting malnutrition

Anandi Patel, ex-sarpanch of Laxmipura village in Sabarkantha district, has been instrumental in raising the health standards of children by creating awareness of nutritional meal

By Kumar Manish

Gandhinagar:

Nutrition is health’s cornerstone, but those who ensure children get their platter full of nutrition remain in shadows. These ‘Champions of Nutrition’ are unsung heroes who form the frontline of the battle against childhood malnutrition. They assume leadership roles, mobilize resources, build consensus and utilize existing resources to bring about a positive change in the lives of children. These ‘Agent of Health’ are indispensable for building and sustaining political commitment for nutrition. Their committed efforts can inspire other individuals and communities to collectively fight the prevalent malnutrition.

In the run-up to International Women Day, we are featuring UNSUNG WOMEN HEROES who have been fighting malnutrition Gujarat with iron resolve.

Anandi Patel, Former Sarpanch, Laxmipura Village

Her grit and perseverance to fight malnutrition in Laxmipura village in Gujarat have earned her accolades and a tag of ‘goodwill ambassador for nutrition’!

Meet 54-year old Anandiben Mogajibhai Patel, former Sarpanch of Laxmipura and a beacon of hope for all aspiring women leaders who want to bring change for better future.

Patel fought village election for the first time in the year 2012 and the rest, they say, is history. Patel was the only woman and a graduate among the six candidates who contested for the post of sarpanch.

She was motivated to bring about positive change in the village by utilizing her education for the betterment of her village community. This unyielding zeal became her guiding force to contest the election.

She clinched a landmark victory in the election. Keeping her poll promises, she introduced positive initiatives in all women and children-centric on-going welfare schemes in the village.

Soon after assuming office, she approached Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a programme that provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children below the age of 6 and their mothers, and block supervisor for release of funds to repair and improve infrastructure at all seven Aaganwadis under her jurisdiction.

She regularized mid-day meals and personally supervised the distribution of Bal Bhog, a scheme of Government of Gujarat that is aimed at checking malnutrition among children.

Sharing about her efforts, Patel said “I followed up on the activities of the Village Health Nutrition Day (VHND) sessions and ensured two monthly sessions in all seven Aanganwadi centres (AWCs). There were five underweight children in one of the Aanganwadis. We took it on ourselves to ensure that all children meet the vital health parameters.”

“We did regular counselling and follow-up meetings with the parents until all five kids’ health improved,” added Patel.

VHND is an effective platform for providing first-contact primary health care in villages in Gujarat. Preferably it is done on every Wednesday or and for those villages that have been left out, on any other day of the same month.

Patel, on the awareness level of nutrition in her village, said, “The literacy rate is not low in Laxmipura but awareness on basic nutrition practices is missing, especially breastfeeding practices. I am a woman and I know how nutrition affects the overall health of mothers and children. Therefore, nutrition was my key priority after assuming the charge of village sarpanch. We conducted a lot of door-to-door engagement programmes to change the perception. It took a while but it showed positive results.”

Patel embarked on community engagement drives to create awareness on ways and means to fight malnutrition in her village. She vigorously led her nutrition drive as sarpanch from 2012 to 2016.

Her dedication and determination have earned her a team of focused foot soldiers who are now fighting the battle against malnutrition. Rekha, an Aanganwadi worker who regularly seeks Anandiben’s guidance, said: “We still go to Anandiben when we need to counsel resistant parents. Her goodwill in the community helps us reach out to everyone. Even though she is not sarpanch anymore, she resolves our issues and problems efficiently.”

“We have found a new sense of purpose and motivation under her able leadership and now we will take forward her good work in the village,” added Rekha.

According to experts, one of the key reasons for under-nutrition in early years of life is faulty and sub-optimal infant feeding practice. This is further aggravated by factors such as repeated episodes of childhood illnesses and low birth weight.

#EveryChildAlive

About the author: Kumar Manish is an independent journalist & chief communicator at Communicate Karo, working on communications for Not for Profits. He is passionate about sustainable & happy cities and children rights. He is an avid social media contributor and believes in social media for social good. He tweets from @kumarmanish9