Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai met UNICEF representative and laid emphasis on joint action plan for maternal and child health, eradication of malnutrition and better nutrition of children.
Raipur. UNICEF representative in India Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey paid a courtesy visit to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan today. During this, various topics related to maternal and child health, eradication of malnutrition and overall development of children were discussed in detail.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government is giving top priority to ensuring better nutrition along with the health of mothers and children. He said that all concerned departments will have to work together to bring permanent and effective change in these areas.
Government’s focus on reducing maternal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and malnutrition
The Chief Minister said that healthy mothers and healthy children are the strong foundation of developed Chhattisgarh. He directed all the concerned departments including Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Panchayat and Rural Development and Tribal Development Department to prepare a coordinated and result based action plan with the technical support of UNICEF.
He said that such a strategy should be made which can effectively reduce challenges like infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition. The Chief Minister also stressed that different departments will work with common goals and better coordination, only then the real benefits of the schemes will reach the people.
Benefits of schemes reaching the last person through multi-sectoral strategy
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai directed the officials to prepare a multi-departmental strategy to make health and nutrition related schemes more effective. He said that the objective of the government is to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach the last person and there is a qualitative improvement in the nutritional level of the children of the state.
UNICEF representative honored, commemorative postage stamp presented on completion of 75 years
During the meeting, the Chief Minister warmly welcomed Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey by covering her with a shawl and presenting her a memento of ‘Nandi’, the cultural identity of Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, the India representative of UNICEF presented a special commemorative postage stamp issued by the Indian Postal Department to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai on the occasion of completion of 75 years of UNICEF in India.
UNICEF representative expressed confidence in Chhattisgarh with ‘Jai Johar’
Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey greeted the Chief Minister by saying ‘Jai Johar’. He said that Chhattisgarh is a state of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and people with simple nature. He said that UNICEF has been working with the state government for a long time in the field of maternal and child health, nutrition and child protection. He expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the state government and UNICEF, the future of the children of the state will become more safe, healthy and prosperous.
These key officials were present in the meeting
Cabinet members, Chief Secretary Mr. Vikassheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Subodh Kumar Singh, Chief of UNICEF in Chhattisgarh Ms. Seema Kumar, Mr. Anil Gulati and Dr. Bal Paritosh Das and other senior officials were present in the meeting.