Nalgonda District Collector Introduces Lunch Program for Pregnant Women

In a commendable move to address the needs of pregnant and lactating women in Nalgonda district, the newly appointed District Collector, RV Karnan, has implemented a lunch program at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). The initiative aims to alleviate hunger among women who visit the PHCs, particularly those from distant villages in Telangana. Upon his visit to various mandals, Collector RV Karnan discovered the delays in preparing test reports for pregnant women, which often led to prolonged waiting periods and hunger. To combat this issue, the Collector instructed local anganwadis to arrange lunch for women visiting the PHCs. With 33 PHCs and 2,093 Anganwadi centers in Nalgonda district, thousands of women are already benefiting from this program. Previously, pregnant and lactating mothers had to return home on an empty stomach after their medical check-ups. However, the district administration is now providing lunch not only to the women but also to their accompanying children. This initiative ensures that they no longer have to spend money at restaurants or suffer from hunger during their visit. To avail the lunch facility, women inform the nearest Anganwadi center, which in turn notifies the mandal headquarters Anganwadi center. The lunch provided consists of rice, dal, and boiled eggs, ensuring a nutritious meal for the women and their children. The program has received overwhelming appreciation from the women who frequent the PHCs. They expressed their gratitude to Collector RV Karnan for this thoughtful initiative. Under the Aarogya Lakshmi scheme, 4,298 pregnant and lactating women were provided lunch from August 7 to August 30, according to an official from the district Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring the well-being of pregnant and lactating women in Nalgonda district, promoting their health and nutrition during crucial stages of motherhood.