Shocking gaps in child and maternal care exposed at two Anganwadi centres

A surprise inspection by Collector Neha Meena has uncovered serious gaps in health services at two Anganwadi centres in Vadlipada and Kharakui. The visit revealed low vaccination rates, poor infrastructure, and lapses in maternal care monitoring. Officials now face urgent directives to address the issues found during the checks.

At Vadlipada, only two of the 24 children due for vaccination had received their shots. Meena reviewed records for antenatal care (ANC) registrations, high-risk pregnancies, and the condition of children in severe acute malnutrition (SAM), moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), and severely underweight (SUW) categories. She also examined online entries on the U-WIN and Nutrition Tracker platforms.

The Kharakui Anganwadi centre was found operating in a crumbling building. Meena ordered its immediate relocation to a safe, rented facility. She also sampled the meals served to children and instructed staff to ensure proper food provision.

Among 146 pregnant women identified, 25 were classified as high-risk. Five of the 22 newly registered women had missed their ANC checkups. Meena criticised the delayed mobilisation by ASHA workers and demanded detailed reports from the Chief Medical and Health Officer.

The inspection has prompted swift action, with officials instructed to relocate the Kharakui centre and improve vaccination coverage. Further reports will determine whether additional measures are needed to strengthen health services in the region. The findings highlight ongoing challenges in maternal and child healthcare delivery.