ADB approves $40.5 million loan to Meghalaya Govt for childcare and maternal mental health
First Published: 17th August, 2023 18:26 IST
The money would be used for integrated early childhood development and maternal mental health in the northeastern state
In a move that is expected to boost childcare and maternal mental healthcare initiatives in Meghalaya, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of USD 40.5 million to be used for integrated early childhood development and maternal mental health in the northeastern state.
The Meghalaya government would be contributing USD 15.27 million to the project, the multilateral bank said in a release.
The project is expected to strengthen home-based childcare (children 0-1.5 years) and center-based childcare (1.5-6 years) through daycare centers in Meghalaya.
The project aims to improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental health care and group-based parenting programs to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving.
ADB’s assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children 0.5-6 years of age.
“The first early years-including especially the first 1,000 days-are critical to a child’s growth and development. Providing ample nutrition and nurturing care early on and enabling both parents are essential to building a strong growth foundation for a child. At the heart of childcare are mothers, making it important to ensure they have the needed health services and support,” said ADB Principal Health Specialist Dinesh Arora.
“ADB is committed to supporting the state government’s efforts to mainstream (early childhood development) ECD and in adopting this innovative project design that can be scaled up across the country,” Arora added.
The release said that the ADB-supported project will upgrade 1,800 Anganwadi centers and construct around 600 new ones in hard-to-reach areas.
Also Read : Adult HIV rate in Meghalaya stands at 0.39 %, higher than the national average
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Five Illegal Immigrants Along with Child Arrested at Agartala Railway Station
22nd October 2024Live BJP Announces Bernard Marak as Candidate For Gambegre Seat in Meghalaya
22nd October 2024Live Jorhat-Dibrugarh Highway Works To Continue At Rapid Rate: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
22nd October 2024Live Assam: Wife Suspected in the Murder of Her Husband in Kokrajhar
22nd October 2024WE RECOMMEND
Shillong Airport Expansion: A Game Changer for Tourism, Says Minister Paul Lyngdoh
Lyngdoh stated that the expansion will lessen the state's dependence on road connectivity and transportation.
18th October 2024A Day After SC Upholds Sec 6 A, Meghalaya’s HYC Demands ILP
A day after the Supreme Court upheld the legal and constitutional validity of Section 6 A of the Citizenship Act, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) of Meghalaya expressed concerns regarding the potential influx of illegal immigrants from Assam into Meghalaya following the judgment. Roy Kupar Synrem, president of HYC emphasized the need for laws similar […]
18th October 2024Meghalaya Minister Paul Lyngdoh Blames Manipur Unrest for Rising Drug Trafficking in Meghalaya
Minister Lyngdoh announced plans to visit New Delhi to brief the central government on the severity of the issue.
18th October 2024M’laya: Now 200-year Old Gurdwara Threatens to Stall Harijan Colony Relocation
The government is planning to relocate 342 families from the area, but the HPC is awaiting an official response.
17th October 2024Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Lays Foundation For Meghalaya Skill And Innovation Hub to be Built at Rs 76.5 Cr, Mentions DGP Idashisha Nongrang in His Address
Meghalaya Skill and Innovation Hub will be constructed on 6.54 acres in New Shillong at the cost of Rs. 77.5 Cr.
16th October 2024