KR Nandini, Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO | Photo credit: File photo
Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO KR Nandini emphasized the need for regular thiamine (vitamin B1) supplementation in mothers and infants after delivery to prevent deaths due to thiamine deficiency.
She also emphasized the importance of sustained awareness campaigns on the consumption of thiamin-rich foods and effective information, education and communication (IEC) activities to facilitate early identification and early treatment of deficiency.
At a meeting of the District Health Society at the District Health and Welfare Officer’s office on January 2, Ms. Nandini said that infant deaths related to thiamine deficiency can be prevented if timely and coordinated measures are put in place by the Health Department.
She directed ASHA and anganwadi workers to work closely together to identify malnourished children in their respective areas. All children in the 0–6 age group should be screened regularly and categorized as severe acute malnutrition (SAM) or moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Data should be compiled systematically, she said.
All children suffering from SAM irrespective of medical or non-medical causes must be compulsorily referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC) through District Early Intervention Center (DEIC), Mandya. Children with MAM should also be admitted to NRC whenever necessary, she added.
The CEO Zilla Panchayat said regular monitoring of weight and height, provision of complementary nutritious diet, prevention of infectious diseases and timely immunization, besides ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients such as vitamins, iron and zinc, will help prevent children with MAM from progressing to SAM.
Published – 03 Jan 2026 20:11 IST
