Aligarh: The Department of Community Medicine at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been given a project titled "Strengthening implementation of Child Health and Nutrition Month in U.P" by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Under this scheme, special nutrition month is being observed from July 10 August 15, 2010. In this connection, faculty members of the Department monitored the routine immunization sessions, coverage of Vitamin-A in children under five years of age and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) activities in various blocks of Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur and Aligarh.

A team of State Observer cum Monitoring Trainers (SOMT) comprising Dr. M. Athar Ansari, Chairman of the Department & Nodal Person of the Scheme, Dr. A.R. Siddiqui, Associate Professor, Dr. M. Salman Shah, Assistant Professor and Dr. S.N.A. Hashmi, Medico-Social Worker visited villages of these districts.

Along with supervision rounds, the team also imparted health education to the families mostly belonging to poor sections of society at the Anganwadi centres regarding Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, prevention of malnutrition and consumption of iodized salt.

Extensive sessions in the schools were carried out in these districts to promote the consumption of iodized salt. Iodine testing was done in front of children. It has been documented that the performance of children at school is better in areas where more of iodized salt is consumed as it increases the IQ level by 13 points.

The main objective of the above activities is to improve the physical, social and mental health status of young children so that they can enjoy a better stimulating environment and be a part of healthy society and healthy nation.

The Report of the supervision and monitoring of the round will be submitted to the State office of UNICEF and Govt. of U.P. Next round will start in December 2010.