Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) - Summary
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is an important government programme in India that seeks to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children under 6 years of age, along with their mothers. This well-organized initiative offers essential services, including food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health check-ups, and referral services. You can find more about its benefits by downloading the ICDS PDF today!
Background of ICDS
The various health programmes launched by the Government of India (GOI) over the years often did not sufficiently reach the intended communities. To address this issue, a clear national policy for children was established in 1974. Following this, a comprehensive and multi-faceted programme was introduced, leading to the creation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. This scheme has emerged as one of India’s most respected national human resource development initiatives.
Objectives
The key objectives of the ICDS scheme are:
- Improvement in the health and nutritional status of children aged 0–6 years and pregnant and lactating mothers.
- Reduction in mortality rates and school drop-out rates.
- Providing a strong foundation for the psychological, physical, and social development of the child.
- Boosting maternal education and skills to manage their own health and nutrition, as well as that of their families.
- Effective coordination and implementation of policies among various departments for promoting child development.
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the ICDS scheme include:
- Children aged 0–6 years.
- Pregnant and lactating mothers.
- Women aged 15–44 years.
- Since 1991, adolescent girls up to 18 years for non-formal education and training in health and nutrition.
Services
The programme offers a wide range of services, such as:
- i) Complementary nutrition
- ii) Vitamin A supplementation
- iii) Iron and folic acid tablets
- iv) Immunization services
- v) Regular health check-ups
- vi) Treatment of minor ailments
- vii) Referral services for more serious health issues
- viii) Non-formal education on health and nutrition for women
- ix) Preschool education for children aged 3–6 years
- x) Integration of other supportive services like water and sanitation
To explore further details about the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), you can download the information in PDF format using the link below.
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