Mohla–Manpur–Ambagarh Chowki District Earns National Recognition for Innovative Malnutrition Management Initiative

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and WCD Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade Extend Their Congratulations

Raipur, 10 October 2025: Chhattisgarh’s newly formed aspirational district Mohla–Manpur–Ambagarh Chowki has achieved a remarkable milestone at the national level for its outstanding and innovative approach to malnutrition management. The district secured the third position in the Health and Nutrition category under “NITI for States – Use Case Challenge” organized by NITI Aayog, Government of India. The recognition was conferred upon Collector Smt. Tulika Prajapati (IAS) at a prestigious ceremony held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, where NITI Aayog CEO Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam presented the award.

The award recognizes the district’s innovative initiative titled “SAM/MAM in Children”, a community-based model developed for the identification, treatment, and monitoring of Severely and Moderately Malnourished (SAM/MAM) children. Under the “Hamar Swasth Laika” campaign launched in September 2024, the use of enhanced take-home rations (THR) led to a significant improvement in children’s nutritional status. The recovery rate among malnourished children rose from 56% to 78%, marking a major public health success. The initiative also focused on weekly parental meetings to encourage behavior change around nutrition and digital monitoring of children’s weekly progress through the "Samarthya App." Tools such as the Diet Calendar and Parent/Guardian Card were introduced to help families track food diversity and meal frequency. The campaign represents a collaborative effort involving the District Administration, Department of Women and Child Development, Health Department, UNICEF, AIIMS Raipur (State Center of Excellence), and the Abis Group, Rajnandgaon.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the district team on this significant achievement, stating, “This recognition stands as proof of Chhattisgarh’s effective nutrition improvement policies. The state government remains committed to supporting such innovative models that strengthen community-based nutrition management.”

Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade also extended her best wishes to the district team, remarking, “This innovative initiative in the fight against malnutrition is truly exemplary. The Department of Women and Child Development will work towards replicating such successful models across other districts of Chhattisgarh to ensure that every child leads a healthy and nourished life. These efforts will serve as inspiration in our mission toward a ‘Malnutrition-Free Chhattisgarh.’”

The success of the Mohla–Manpur–Ambagarh Chowki model highlights how targeted local innovation, backed by inter-departmental collaboration and community participation, can bring measurable change in the health and well-being of children in remote and aspirational regions.