Aiming to strengthen the cognitive growth and developmental attributes of a child’s first two crucial years, Union minister of State for Health, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar on Tuesday, August 17th, 2022, launched ‘Paalan 1000 National Campaign and Parenting App’ in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Pawar stressed, “We need to understand that the child’s survival cannot be addressed in isolation as it is intricately linked to the health of the mother. Therefore, the concept of ‘Continuum of Care’, that emphasises care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival, is being followed under the national programme.”
According to a Health Ministry statement, the initial 1000 days of a child is very critical for his physical, mental, emotional, cognitive and social health, said Pawar.
The current child mortality rate in India has reduced from 45 per 1000 live births (2014) to 35 per 1000 live births in 2019, cited the statement.
Highlighting the significance of the early phases of a child’s life, she stressed that the attention and care given to a child during this phase decides his fate in the coming years and could have a lasting impact on his growth and development. Besides, the development of the brain too paves the way for his future level of intelligence and quality of life.
The ‘Paalan 1000 National Campaign and Parenting App’, which was launched at the Early Childhood Development Conclave in Mumbai, will assist caregivers with practical solutions and advice on different issues related to the child’s critical health conditions, his daily and monthly affairs, and will encourage parents in resolving the day-to-day doubts surfaced during the parenting time.
Caregiving is a vital step in building a strong start in the initial phase of the life of a child. This programme is bracketed under the ‘Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram’ (RBSK) mission, laying attention on the responsive care and interventions during the first 1000 days of a child’s life.