Shocking gaps exposed in Madhya Pradesh's child and maternal healthcare

Collector Neha Meena made an unannounced visit to two Anganwadi centres in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, during Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) sessions. The inspection revealed serious gaps in vaccination coverage, maternal care, and infrastructure at the facilities.

At Vadlipada Anganwadi centre, Meena reviewed records for antenatal care (ANC) registrations, vaccination status, and the health of children enrolled in severe acute malnutrition (SAM), moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), and severely underweight (SUW) categories. Of 24 children due for vaccination, only two had received their shots. Among 146 pregnant women identified, 25 were classified as high-risk, while five out of 22 newly registered women had missed their ANC checkups.

The collector expressed frustration over the failure of ASHA workers to mobilise beneficiaries on time. She personally checked online entries on the U-WIN vaccination portal and the Nutrition Tracker system. Meena also sampled the children's meals and instructed staff to ensure proper food distribution.

At Kharakui Anganwadi centre, she found the building in a dangerous, run-down condition. Meena immediately ordered officials to relocate the centre to a rented, safe facility. She also directed the Chief Medical and Health Officer to submit detailed reports on the issues uncovered during the inspection.

The surprise visit highlighted critical shortcomings in vaccination drives, maternal health monitoring, and infrastructure safety. Officials have been instructed to take immediate corrective action, including relocating the Kharakui centre and improving service delivery at Vadlipada.