Traveling far for even a short while can also be fulfilling. My recent India trip, just for a week, was no different, as I got the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) project, ofWHEELS Global Foundationand Health Spoken Tutorials program ofIndian Institute of Technology, Bombay, which is being piloted in 7 districts of Madhya Pradesh, and started last year.

The MIYCN project aims to reduce maternal (MMR) and infant mortality rates (IMR) and combat malnutrition by training Health Department and Women and Child Development Department officers and staff. Under this pilot, 10 mother-baby dyads receive guidance on proper breastfeeding techniques, growth monitoring, nutritious diets, and supplementary nutrition as per Learning Action Protocol (LAP). Home visits are conducted to monitor weight and height, with data being recorded in the mobile app, Cuedwell. A dedicated team at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and district-level monitors oversee the MIYCN project’s activities.

To get in-field insights, I, accompanied by Project Manager Mr. Rajkumar Rai , first visited Hasnabad village in Vidisha. We interacted with parents of beneficiaries along with an ASHA supervisor and worker. Significant improvements in the child’s health were observed with the data that has been gathered. ASHA workers are delivering last-mile to the beneficiaries over 8-9 month duration, starting from the 3rd trimester to up to 5.5 months after birth. The target is to achieve above 50% growth trajectory for the child and minimize admission into NRC (National Rehabilitation Center) after birth.

After this, we visited Anganwadi No. 133 in Karaiya Kheda under Urban ICDS Project (Integrated Child Development Service), where a routine immunization session was organized, and had a conversation with the Anganwadi Supervisor and workers to get first-hand information updates on the progress. Discussions focused on dietary habits, nutritional intake, protein consumption, and breastfeeding practices with moms who are expecting a child in the next 3 months.

Later, we visited the District Hospital and held discussions with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Puneet Maheshwari, Civil Surgeon Dr. R.L. Singh, District Immunization Officer Dr. D.K. Sharma, Media Officer Mr. B.S. Dangi, Head of Pediatrics Dr. Brijendra Chhari, Maternity Wing Nurse Ms. Roma Masih, Community Health Officers Mr. Malkhan Singh and Mr. Ravindra Sen. I was informed that admission of malnourished children’s to NRC has been significantly reduced from previous year.

Concluding the visit, met with District Collector Raushan Kumar Singh, IAS and CEO of Zila Panchayat, Mr. Om Prakash Sanodia. They expressed their satisfaction with the project’s impact, and emphasized the importance of ensuring continuity and expansion.

Special thanks to Ratan Agarwal, Dr. Rupal Dalal and Rajkumar Rai for making this visit possible.