Shuklaphata municipality distributes nutritional materials to support pregnant and lactating women

Kanchanpur: Shuklaphata Municipality in Kanchanpur has been distributing nutritional materials to pregnant and lactating women as part of its ongoing health initiative.

Under the program, ward offices have provided essential items such as eggs, gram, soap, salt, and handkerchiefs to support maternal and child health. Health Assistant Dil Bahadur Dhami of the Pipladi Basic Health Center noted that while the items may appear modest, their impact is significant and long-lasting. “We have provided nutritional materials to 34 women in the current fiscal year 2081/82,” he said. “Over the past seven years, more than 330 women have benefitted from this initiative.”

According to Dhami, grains and eggs contribute to enhancing physical strength, improving the quality of breastfeeding, increasing blood volume, and boosting overall nutrition for both mother and child. Soap promotes hygiene and reduces the risk of infection, while iodized salt helps prevent conditions like thyroid disease. Handkerchiefs, he added, are helpful in baby care.

Sitadevi Dagaura, one of the beneficiaries, shared that the initiative raised awareness about the importance of nutrition during pregnancy. “Before this, many women didn’t know they needed to eat nutritious food during pregnancy. The ward’s small support has opened the door to awareness,” she said.

Local resident Manju Chaudhary said the program taught her the importance of handwashing with soap, maintaining personal hygiene, and the health benefits of iodized salt.

Ward Chairman Narendra Prasad Chaudhary highlighted the program’s success, stating that since its launch, breastfeeding quality has improved, health awareness among women and families has risen, pregnant women’s morale and self-esteem have increased, and the rate of infectious disease transmission has decreased.