Integrated Child Development Services was launched in the year 1975 which targets children upto the age of 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers and women 16–44 years of age and aims to improve their health, nutrition and education status.
It is the world’s largest community based programme that strives for the provision of a firm foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child. It also works to enhance the maternal education and capacity to look after her own health and nutrition and that of her family.
The programme provides a package of service facilities like:
- Complementary nutrition
- Vitamin A
- Iron and folic acid tablets
- Immunization
- Health check up
- Treatment of minor ailments
- Referral services
- Non-formal education on health and nutrition to women
- Preschool education to children 3–6 year old and
- Convergence of other supportive services like water, sanitation etc.
- enhance the maternal education and capacity to look after her own health and nutrition and that of her family.
It was a centrally funded scheme implemented throughout the States and Union Territories except the supplementary nutrition which was to be provided by the State’s resources. But in 2005-2006, it was noted that many of the states were incapable of providing them in view of drought, economic slowdown etc. Hence, it was decided to support the states up to 50% economic norms or expenses .
India Progresiva... 