The World Health
Organisation (WHO)—a UN agency concerned with public health at the
international level—was founded on 7th April, 1948. In order to commemorate its
founding, it was decided to observe 7th April as the World Health Day. While the WHO uses the day to spread awareness
about some health issue of major importance, the same is also used by various
organisations working in the field of public health to draw people’s attention
to issues of concern and put forth some solutions. In India, hunger and
malnutrition are two such issues, and the Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is one of
the solutions.
On 28th
November, 2001, the Supreme Court of India directed the State Governments “to
implement the Mid-Day Meal Scheme by providing every child in every Government
and Government-aided primary school with a prepared mid-day meal with a minimum
content of 300 calories and 8-12 g of protein each day of school for a minimum
of 200 days.” The stipulated nutritional content has since been raised to 450
calories and 12 g protein for children in primary schools and 700 calories and
20 g protein for children in upper-primary schools.
Mid-day Meal and Children’s Health
In a country
where malnutrition is rampant, 450 calories a day come as a blessing in
disguise; all the more so because at times this is the lone meal many of these children
afford. If malnutrition levels in India have dropped from 42.5% in 2005-06 to
30% in 2013-14, it’s partly because of feeding initiatives like the MDMS and
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Mid-day meal
guidelines also state that the meals served should supply micronutrients like
iron, zinc, folic acid, vitamin A, etc., to the beneficiaries, thus making it a
wholesome meal necessary for proper growth. It’s important to provide
nutrient-rich healthy food to children, as the lack of these nutrients can
result in problems like stunting (low height-for-age) and wasting (low
weight-for-age).
The meals are
prepared after taking specific guidelines into consideration to make sure that
children get necessary nutrients. In some states, a list of recipes is provided
and the schools are expected to pick one every day, whilst being careful not to
repeat it that week. In some states, the vegetables used to prepare meals are
repeated on a daily basis.
School teachers
are testimony to the change the MDM programme has brought about, especially in
the context of children’s health. Earlier, many children used to reach school
on an empty stomach; at times, even having missed their previous night’s
dinner. As a result, it was difficult for them to concentrate on what they were
being taught in school. Since the implementation of MDMS, students are faring
better in academics as their concentration has improved.
Lack of a
nutritious meal on a daily basis made children weak and thus, prone to missing
school. The improvement in nutrition levels of children because of MDMS has translated
into reduced absenteeism and dropout rates. With examples like these, it’s but
obvious that the mid-day meal is of
utmost importance for these people.
Good Hygiene - Sound Health
Mid-day meals
are not just directly contributing to the health and nutrition of children, but
also helping indirectly by inculcating good habits in them. According to the new
MDM guidelines, it’s mandatory for all schools serving mid-day meals to
allocate handwashing time as a part of the school timetable in order to ensure
that children wash their hands with soap both, before and after their meal. Handwashing
is a hygienic practice which helps keep several diseases at bay. Studies reveal
that washing hands with soap reduces the likelihood of diarrhoea by a whopping
48 percent.
The best part is
that the MDMS is having a positive impact on both, health and education
sectors. In the education sector, it acts as a perfect incentive to bring
children to school. In fact, there are cases where school-going children are
accompanied by their younger siblings for that one nutritious meal. It’s worth
noting that the Public-private Partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations,
like the Akshaya Patra Foundation, is
helping the State Governments to feed hungry children across the country.
At the end of the day, it’s safe to say that
it’s because of the MDMS that children, who would have otherwise been working
to support their family, can now have a nutritious meal … and dare to pursue
their dreams. So why not use this World Health Day to further the cause and
help the concerned agencies to reach more children.
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