Kandhamal: In a concerted effort to address the pressing issue of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Kandhamal, Unicef, in collaboration with the district social welfare department organised a media roundtable here Wednesday. The event, held at the Zilla Parishad conference hall, brought together a diverse group of media professionals, policymakers, and health experts, with an aim to highlight media’s crucial role in raising public awareness and fostering community engagement to combat malnutrition in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Bijayalaxmi Behera emphasised the importance of media collaboration in reaching wider audiences with important information about SAM management. “Malnutrition poses one of the most pressing health challenges in Kandhamal. By fostering partnerships and raising awareness, we are committed to substantially reducing the prevalence of SAM in our district,” she said. Behera presented the in-depth strategies implemented in Kandhamal district to reduce SAM cases, including community-based interventions, strengthening Anganwadi centres, and leveraging local health networks to ensure that nutrition programmes reach the most vulnerable children. “Our goal is to ensure that every child in Kandhamal has access to the nutrition and care they deserve. We are striving to ensure that SAM no longer poses a threat to our children in the future,” she added. Unicef’s nutrition specialist Sourav Bhattacharjee delivered a keynote address on malnutrition and the importance of SAM management. He said, “Effective SAM management extends beyond addressing hunger, encompassing improvements in overall health, sanitation and education.
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In Kandhamal, the immediate objective is to save lives and foster healthier, stronger communities. It not only contributes to physical well-being but also cognitive development.” The role of the media in raising awareness and disseminating accurate information was the central theme of the roundtable. Unicef representatives emphasised the importance of responsible reporting and the transformative potential of media engagement in combating malnutrition. An interactive open discussion and Q&A session provided an opportunity for participants to share insights and discuss challenges related to malnutrition and child health in Kandhamal. Media representatives expressed their commitment to supporting awareness campaigns and keeping the issue of SAM a priority in public discourse. The media roundtable set the stage for future initiatives, reinforcing the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration to create sustainable health outcomes in Kandhamal.