Which ministry has recently linked an agreement with the ministry of AYUSH to control malnutrition?

Tripura CHO - 2021

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) is the nodal ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), the government's flagship program to improve nutritional outcomes.
In 2020, the MoWCD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of AYUSH to control malnutrition by integrating AYUSH principles and practices.
This collaboration focuses on using the Anganwadi ecosystem to promote AYUSH-based solutions, such as establishing 'Poshan Vatikas' (nutrition gardens) and encouraging traditional dietary practices.

Option A: This ministry's role is focused on food production and supply, not the direct implementation of community-based nutrition intervention programs for mothers and children.
Option B: While the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) deals with the clinical management of malnutrition, it was not the ministry that signed this specific agreement with AYUSH for a holistic, community-based approach.
Option C: The Ministry of Education's primary role in nutrition is through the school meal program (PM-POSHAN), which targets school-aged children, not the broader community including infants and pregnant women covered under this MoU.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Inter-ministerial collaborations for public health programs in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Community health nurses work closely with Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), who are the frontline functionaries of the MoWCD's ICDS program. Understanding this collaboration helps nurses support integrated health and wellness activities.
Nurses can educate beneficiaries about the benefits of locally grown herbs and vegetables from Poshan Vatikas, reinforcing the advice provided at Anganwadi centers.
This knowledge helps nurses in providing holistic health education that combines modern nutritional science with traditional wisdom, which can improve community acceptance and adherence.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question: a government agreement to control malnutrition.
Next, identify the key players mentioned: the Ministry of AYUSH and the target issue (malnutrition).
Recall or deduce the primary ministry responsible for child and maternal nutrition programs in India. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and POSHAN Abhiyaan are the largest such programs.
Associate ICDS and POSHAN Abhiyaan with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).
Conclude that the MoWCD, being the nodal agency for these large-scale nutrition programs, would be the logical partner for the Ministry of AYUSH to reach the target population (children, pregnant and lactating women).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Inter-ministerial collaborations for public health programs in India.
Stem keywords: ministry, agreement, AYUSH, control malnutrition
Lead-in keywords: Which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 427-429