Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government is focused on aspects relating to nutrition and quality health care. He was interacting with ASHA, ANM and Anganwadi workers from all over the nation via video conferencing this morning as part of Poshan-Maah.

Mr Modi said vaccination efforts are on at a quick pace and this helps women and children in particular. The Poshan Abhiyaan was launched from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. Mr Modi said it is essential to involve maximum women and children in this movement.

Prime Minister lauded Manita Devi from Jharkhand for saving the life of a newborn baby who was assumed dead by the family, by using neonatal care training. He also expressed gratitude to the thousands of doctors in the country who are treating pregnant women without any fees.

Mr Modi said anemia is definitely a very big problem in the country and quite a number of people in the country are victims of anemia. He said the health workers must spread the benefits of iodine-rich salt and iron to tackle anemia.

He pointed out that anemia is declining every year at a rate of just one percent and that government has decided to triple the pace under the Poshan Abhiyaan. He also hailed the health workers for not only taking care of children, but also of pregnant women.

The Prime Minister said the first one thousand days of a baby are very important. He said the diet and food habits of the child are very important. Mr Modi said country will develop with that much speed and pace if its children are healthy.

Prime Minister Modi said the government is taking numerous steps for the welfare of the ASHA, ANM and Anganwadi workers. He said Anganwadi workers’ monthly allowance has been increased from 3000rupees to 4500 rupees and from 2250 to 3500 rupees. He added that the Anganwadi helpers’ allowance has been increased from 1500 rupees to 2200 rupees per month.

Mr Modi also said that Asha workers’s encouragement money has been doubled. He also said that Asha workers and their helpers will get free insurance of 4 lakh rupees under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana.