POSHAN TRACKER INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has received the National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for the Poshan Tracker initiative.

Poshan Tracker Initiative

• About: It identifies and addresses growth issues in children aged 0-6 using real-time monitoring and WHO growth charts to ensure optimal nutrition.
• Role of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs): It play a critical role in assessing children's health and implementing interventions when growth deviations are identified.
• Use of ICT Tools and GMD: The program utilizes advanced ICT tools and Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at each Anganwadi Center to facilitate accurate data collection and regular monitoring.
• Outcomes: Real-time monitoring under the Poshan Tracker has significantly improved child health outcomes across India, benefiting millions of children through Mission Poshan 2.0.

Mission Poshan 2.0

• About: It is an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme aimed at combating malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Objective: It helps tracking a child's growth pattern over time through WHO growth charts, which are essential tools used to monitor children's growth and development. 
• These charts plot key anthropometric measurements- such as height and weight- against age and sex-specific standards, providing a visual representation of a child's growth trajectory.
• Status: Currently, Mission Poshan 2.0 covers an impressive 8.9 crore children (0-6 years), with a remarkable 8.57 crore measured in a single month through routine monthly Growth Measurement.