Paalan 1000

India has taken rapid strides in reducing child mortality since 2014 from 45 per 1,000 live births to 35 per 1,000 live births in 2019. This was disclosed by the Union Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar at an event. At the event, Dr Pawar launched a ‘Paalan 1000’ National Campaign and Parenting App.

Details –

• Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar virtually launched the ‘Paalan 1000’ National Campaign and Parenting App at the Early Childhood Development Conclave in Mumbai.
• At the event, she said that the first 1,000 days encompasses conception as well as the first two years of a growing child’s life and during this period, the child needs the right nutrition, stimulation, love and support.
  • The first 1,000 days establishes a solid platform for a child’s physical, mental, emotional, cognitive and social health.
• She added that the child 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 on care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival, is being followed under the national programme.

About ‘Paalan 1000’ –

• The ‘Paalan 1000 – Journey of the First 1000 Days‘, focuses on the cognitive developments of children in the first 2 years of its life.
• It also includes the parenting app to focus on child health.
• The app will provide practical advice to caregivers on what they can do in their everyday routine and will help clear doubts.
• The app combines coaching for parents, families and other caregivers with services designed to meet the families’ basic needs.
• Paalan focuses upon the 6 principles of — Maximise Love, Talk & Engage, explore through Movement and Play, Read and Discuss Stories, Mother’s Engagement with the Child while Breastfeeding and Managing Stress and Staying Calm.
• The programme is aligned with the mission of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), emphasising responsive care and focused interventions during the first 1,000 days.

About ‘Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram’ –

• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) is a program to improve the overall quality of life of children enabling all children achieve their full potential.
• It aims at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 ‘D’s –- Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays (including disability).
• Children diagnosed with identified selected health conditions are provided early intervention services and follow-up care at the district level.
• These services are provided free of cost, thus helping their families reduce out of pocket expenditure incurred on the treatment.
• To facilitate screening of children, there is a strong convergence with —
  • • the Ministry of Women and Child Development for screening children the age group 0 – 6 years enrolled at Anganwadi centres and
    • the Ministry of Education for screening the children enrolled in Government and Government aided schools.