National and International Agencies Working towards Health and Nutrition

Introduction

Health and Nutrition is an important topic from both the academic and competitive exams viewpoint. With the recent health crisis, the world has undergone and still, the aftermaths are turning new leaves, health and nutrition have become even more inevitable to know. Let’s begin with the National and International Agencies contributing to the field of human nutrition and dietetics.

Important National Agencies Working Towards Food and Nutrition

National Health Authority

NHA is an autonomous body formed under the Society Registration Act to oversee the implementation of the flagship health scheme ‘Ayushmann Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). It is an example of national and international agencies working towards food and nutrition. 

• The National Health Authority is headed by the union minister for Health and Family Welfare.
• An officer of rank Secretary to Government of India acts as Chief Executive Officer to manage affairs of the body.

Functions

• To ensure standardization and information sharing, NHA formulates various functional guidelines related to PM-JAY, model documents, and contracts.
• NHA devises strategies for public health purchasing through PM-JAY to maximize the government’s investment.
• NHA assists in the implementation of PM-JAY by serving as the body responsible for state health agencies.

National Institute of Health and Family Welfare

The National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) was established in 1977 by merging the National Institute of Health Administration and Education and the National Institute of Family Planning.

• This healthy body is situated in Delhi.
• NIHFW works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a premier organization contributing towards building capacity by providing training to health workers and health professionals. 

Functions

• NIHFW provides training to healthcare staff, workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nursing Midwife(ANM).
• The body aids in achieving the objectives of the National Health Programmes.

Food and Nutrition Board

The Food Nutrition Board was established in the year 1964 under the Ministry of Food but later transferred to the Ministry of Women & Child Development.

The body mainly focuses on the nutrition of the population in its countrywide set-up as nutrition is key to national growth and development of human resources.

Functions

• Nutritional education and training, both for the general public and for staff of the Integrated Child Development Scheme. 

• Campaigns to spread awareness about nutrition,
• Material for nutrition education and training is being developed, produced, and distributed.
• Training in Fruit and Vegetable Preservation and Nutrition on a Small Scale
• Food Analysis and Quality control 
• Action to be taken in regards to the National Nutrition Policy.

Indian Red Cross Society

Indian Red Cross Society is a voluntary organization formed by an Act of Parliament in 1920. 

• The President of India acts as the President of the board and the Union Minister of Family and Health Welfare is the Chairman.

Functions

• The humanitarian organization provides relief in cases of disaster and aids in providing medical facilities and care to the vulnerable sections and communities at lower rates.
• The organization provides blood connection and donation centres throughout the country, first aid, livelihood programmes and other health aids.

Important International Agencies Working Towards Food and Nutrition

World Health Organization

WHO is an agency of the United Nations established in 1946 and is non-political working towards Human Nutrition and dietetics.  

The headquarters of the World Health Organization is situated in Geneva, Switzerland.

Functions 

• This organization collaborates with specialists, volunteer groups, policymakers, and government agencies to ensure that a global health standard is established and that it is followed at all times.
• Research is ever-changing and evolving, and WHO considers it a top priority to ensure that their advances in science have always been advantageous to public health.
• Setting global standards for the controlling and implementation of international health policy and programs is one of WHO’s responsibilities.

United Nations Development Programme

UNDP was established in the year of 1966 to aid poorer nations to harness their natural resources and human capabilities bringing change throughout Human Nutrition and dietetics.

The projects of UNDP cover education, social welfare, science, health and also the economic sector.

Functions

• UNDP works to reduce the poverty levels of the population through various programmes.
• UNDP focuses on reducing poverty, HIV, democratic representation, energy and the environment, as well as crisis prevention and recovery, to achieve the Millennium development goals and encourage global development.
• UNDP provides developing countries with expertise, strength and conditioning, and grant support, with an increased focus on support to the low-income countries.

World Food Programme

Established 60 years ago in 1961 on 19th December in Rome, Italy.  The World Food Programme (WFP) is the food assistance wing of the UN.  It is an executive member of the UN Sustainable Development Goal with offices across 80 nations.

Functions

• Today, it is the largest humanitarian working organization working on the mission to remove hunger and food insecurity.
•  For providing relief and assistance in war and conflict regions it has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize of 2020.

Conclusion

There are several national (both autonomous bodies associated with respective Ministries and non-governmental organizations) and international agencies that are an aid in ensuring healthy living means, nutritional and medical care. The WHO aims to achieve the aim of the highest health standards for the population all over the world.