Integrated child development services scheme (ICDS) in India: its activities, present status and future strategy to reduce malnutrition.

Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) provides an integrated approach for converging all the basic services for improved child care, early stimulation and learning, health and nutrition, water and environmental sanitation aimed at the young children, expectant and lactating mothers, other women and adolescent girls in a community. Its objectives are: To improve nutritional and health status of children of 0-6 years; to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout; to achieve effective co-ordination amongst various departments to promote child development; to lay foundation of proper psychological,physical and social development of the child; to enahance mother's capability to look after normal health and nutritional needs of the child. ICDS services are provided through a village based centre ie, the Anganwadicentre for the services of: Supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check-up, referral services, treatment of minor illnesses, nutrition and health education to women, preschool education to children and supports for water supply, sanitation, etc. Several government departments and their services are co-ordinated at village, block, district, state and central levels. The Anganwadiworker is the most peripheral functionary which implements the programme services at the village/community level. In projects where able leadership has been provided, ICDS has been reported to be better. Though there are some shortcomings in ICDS, till future thrust of the programme is necessary for aiming of the upliftment of underprivileged section of the population. Operative research in various areas is suggested which can help in improving the efficiency of ICDS.