TS Guv calls for nutritional intervention action plan for primitive tribal groups in state

Expressing her concern over the severe malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among the primitive tribal groups, she called for the result-oriented action plan to address the issue on a priority basis.

The Governor was discussing the "Nutritional Intervention Action Plan for the Primitive Tribal Groups in Telangana" with the scientists of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), doctors of the ESIC hospital and medical college, and representatives of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) at Raj Bhavan here.

It may be noted that the Raj Bhavan will soon implement an ambitious nutritional intervention action plan in three select districts for the benefit of the primitive tribal population.

"Our proposed initiative to improve the nutritional status of the primitive tribal people should become a role model for the rest of the country to initiate similar interventions," said Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan.

She emphasized the need for the convergence of services of various wings like ICDS, tribal welfare, medical, health, and education departments as part of the action plan.

The Governor highlighted the concerted efforts to end the micro-nutrient deficiencies, malnutrition, protein-deficiency and the energy-deficiencies by exploring and promoting indigenous foods.

"Winning the confidence of the targeted beneficiaries is crucial for the success and sustainability of our intervention. Capacity-building activities for local volunteers, promoting indigenous foods with high nutritional value, and constant support from different wings of the government will go a long way in building a healthy society in tribal habitations," she added.

The Governor appreciated the active participation of NIN, ESIC, and IRCS functionaries in the first-of-its-kind nutritional intervention action plan.

Meanwhile, the Governor's husband, Dr. P. Soundararajan, an eminent nephrologist, said that exploring locally-available nutrient-rich food items to be made part of their nutritional diet plan was vital to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

Secretary to the Governor K. Surendra Mohan said in the first phase some select primitive tribal habitations in Nagarkurnool, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Adilabad districts were identified for the nutritional intervention.

The Chenchus, Kondareddis, and Kolam primitive tribal groups were identified as the potential beneficiaries of the proposed nutritional intervention action plan.