An extensive campaign to combat child malnutrition has been launched across all districts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai and Thane. The initiative involves the active participation of officials and staff from the Department of Women and Child Development, along with Anganwadi workers and helpers. These frontline workers visit homes to provide nutritional food and guide families on improving the health and physical development of malnourished children. However, the major challenge remains the severe shortage of staff in the department tasked with this responsibility.
Currently, around 20,000 positions—including Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), supervisors, Anganwadi workers, and helpers—are vacant. Experts are skeptical whether the goal of eradicating malnutrition can be achieved without filling these critical roles.
According to Kailash Pagare, Commissioner of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the recruitment process is underway. A recent survey revealed that over 30,800 children in Maharashtra are severely malnourished, while more than 1.51 lakh children fall under the moderately malnourished category. Alarmingly, 8.29% of children in Mumbai are malnourished.
More Than 5,000 Anganwadi Centres in Mumbai
Pagare stated that Mumbai has over 5,000 Anganwadi centres, which are providing supplementary nutrition to undernourished children through Anganwadi workers and helpers. This effort began in April, and the health status of affected children is being closely monitored.
Anganwadi Workers Play a Crucial Role
Anganwadi workers and helpers are essential in tackling malnutrition. They visit homes, advise pregnant women on nutritional needs, ensure timely vaccinations, and monitor the nutritional intake of newborns. Hence, delays in appointing workers to vacant posts could severely impact the initiative’s effectiveness.
11,000 Recruited, 7,000 More to be Filled Soon
Out of the 18,000 vacant Anganwadi positions, 11,000 have been filled, while the remaining 7,000 will be addressed soon, according to Pagare. He explained that the recruitment process faced technical issues, which have now been resolved. Some CDPO positions are being filled through MPSC and others via local Zilla Parishads. The department has also initiated the recruitment of officers currently undergoing training.
Preventive Measures Underway
The ICDS department is on high alert regarding child malnutrition and is taking necessary preventive steps. However, the department itself faces a massive shortage of staff: 21 posts of CDPO (Urban), 297 of CDPO (Rural), 1,399 supervisor-level positions, 5,639 Anganwadi worker posts, and 13,243 helper posts remain unfilled.
Addressing this staffing crisis is critical to the success of the state’s malnutrition eradication efforts.
