Child Malnutrition

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme was expected to prevent the incidence of severe malnutrition of the kind that has been reported in some parts of the country. However, after 30 years of operation, the ICDS is yet to have an impact on the poor nutritional status of children. The ICDS has to be converted into a true health, nutrition and development programme, and not limited to a food dole programme.