Infant malnutrition remains a pressing issue in India, contributing significantly to high infant mortality rates and ongoing health problems. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-2020) indicates alarming levels of malnutrition among children under five: 36% are stunted, 33% are underweight, and 17% are wasted. The exclusive breastfeeding rate for infants under six months is only 55.6%, reflecting the lack of awareness and knowledge about proper breastfeeding practices. On average, infants receive only about 28% of the milk available from their mothers, underscoring the widespread challenges related to infant nutrition in India despite government efforts to tackle the problem.
To address these concerns, WHEELS Global Foundation, a social impact platform formed by IIT alumni, has partnered with the National Health Mission and the Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, to launch the New Born Nutritional Health Initiative. This initiative is financially supported by a significant grant from the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST). The program aims to improve the health and nutrition of over 10 million mothers and babies in rural Madhya Pradesh, using a technology-driven approach.
The initiative draws on successful outcomes from similar programs in districts across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, focusing primarily on improving breast milk intake from mothers as the critical source of nutrition for newborns. This approach is based on original research by Dr. Rupal Dalal, a pediatrician with experience in Mumbai and the United States, who has studied and identified poor breastfeeding practices in slum areas. Additionally, the initiative utilizes the pioneering work of an IIT Bombay team led by Professor Kannan Moudgalya, particularly through the Health Spoken Tutorials (HST).
The collaboration between WHEELS and these experts allows for cost-effective and time-efficient nationwide scaling of training programs in breastfeeding techniques. These programs are designed for frontline community health workers, including Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Community Health Officers (CHOs). Training is provided through a series of 10-minute self-learning modules, available both online and offline, and in more than 20 spoken languages.
The training program emphasizes several key components to improve breastfeeding practices. One major focus is teaching correct breastfeeding techniques, such as the CC hold, which ensures efficient milk transfer from mother to baby. The program also educates participants on the direct correlation between effective milk transfer and the baby’s weight gain. Moreover, the importance of maternal nutrition is highlighted, with training on how to calculate protein intake for mothers and prepare homemade powders for complementary feeding (CF) for babies.
Participants, including field and hospital staff like AWWs, ASHA Workers, CHOs, doctors, and nurses, are also trained to interpret WHO growth charts to monitor and achieve adequate weight gains in infants. The program addresses and dispels common misconceptions, such as the belief that a 500-gram weight gain or a birth weight of 2.5 kg is sufficient. In addition to these nutritional aspects, the training includes skills related to the Breast Crawl, which promotes early initiation of breastfeeding and strengthens the bond between mother and child.
The training process spans over a month, beginning with participants completing a 3-hour content module and adopting three mother-baby (M-B) dyads. After two weeks, participants take a familiarization test, followed by an additional 6 hours of content. By the end of the four weeks, a screening test selects the top 250 performers out of the initial 350 participants. These top performers then undergo a more intensive 30-hour mentoring module.
Armed with an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) kit, participants are equipped to apply their training effectively in real-world settings. The program also integrates scientific metrics to measure newborn growth during the critical first two years of life, supports ongoing progress tracking, identifies areas requiring further training, and complements existing government programs like maternal supplements and vaccinations.
The Health Spoken Tutorial program is a comprehensive educational resource, covering over 102 topics with detailed tutorials on Appropriate Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Feeding (A-MIYCF). These tutorials are translated into multiple languages, ensuring they are accessible to a wide range of populations. The content includes videos and materials on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, complementary nutrition, general nutrition parameters, recipes, and newborn care, offering crucial guidance to support the health and well-being of mothers and children across different communities.
Currently, this initiative is operational in seven districts of Madhya Pradesh and has expanded to states like Jharkhand and Meghalaya. As the social impact arm of the PanIIT Community, WHEELS Global Foundation aims to scale this technology-driven initiative across all 29 states in India and potentially beyond, ensuring that every baby has the opportunity to develop fully and lead a healthy life.
WHEELS leverages its extensive Pan IIT alumni network, including corporate leaders, CSR associations, IAS officers, NGO partners, and various professionals, to facilitate rapid scaling, create awareness, and provide support for the initiative. By deploying these programs, the foundation aims to contribute to the broader goal of achieving a technology-driven transformation for 20% of India’s “Rurban” population, roughly 180 million people, by 2030. This effort aligns with India’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
