Chief Minister Shri Sai Calls for Integrated Statewide Strategy to Build a Malnutrition-Free Chhattisgarh Through Better Maternal and Child Health
Abhinesh Pandey 
*Departments to prepare a coordinated action plan with UNICEF’s technical support*
*”Healthy Mothers and Healthy Children Are the Strongest Foundation of a Developed Chhattisgarh,” Says Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai*
Raipur, July 22, 2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday emphasized the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral strategy to strengthen maternal and child health and eliminate malnutrition in Chhattisgarh. During a courtesy meeting with UNICEF India Representative Ms Cynthia McCaffrey at Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Chief Minister Shri Sai held detailed discussions on maternal and child health, nutrition, and the holistic development of children.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said the State Government has accorded the highest priority to maternal and child health as well as child nutrition, stressing that lasting improvements in these sectors would require close coordination among all concerned departments.
Emphasising that “healthy mothers and healthy children are the strongest foundation of a developed Chhattisgarh,” Shri Sai directed the Departments of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Panchayat and Rural Development, Tribal Development, and other related departments to jointly prepare an integrated, result-oriented action plan with UNICEF’s technical support. The initiative aims to bring down the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), and malnutrition across the State.
Chief Minister Shri Sai observed that the impact of government schemes would increase significantly only when departments work with shared objectives and a coordinated implementation mechanism. He instructed officials to formulate a comprehensive multi-sectoral strategy to ensure that health and nutrition programmes effectively reach the last mile and bring about measurable improvements in children’s nutritional status.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai warmly welcomed Ms Cynthia McCaffrey by presenting her with a traditional shawl and a symbolic ‘Nandi’, representing the rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh. In return, Ms McCaffrey presented the Chief Minister with a special commemorative postage stamp issued by the Department of Posts to mark 75 years of UNICEF’s presence in India.
Greeting the Chief Minister with “Jai Johar,” Ms Cynthia McCaffrey described Chhattisgarh as a State known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm, simple people. She noted that UNICEF has been working closely with the State Government for many years in the areas of maternal and child health, nutrition, and child protection. Expressing confidence in the partnership, she said the joint efforts of the State Government and UNICEF would help create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for the children of Chhattisgarh.
The meeting was attended by members of the Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, UNICEF Chhattisgarh Chief Ms Seema Kumar, Shri Anil Gulati, and Dr Bal Paritosh Das.
