Bhubaneswar: Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in Odisha will reopen from March 28.
The Women & Child Development (WCD) Department has issued a circular to Collectors of all districts in this connection.
AWCs across the State were closed since April 19 last year due to the prevailing pandemic.
As there has been significant improvement in the situation the government has decided to reopen the AWCs from March 28 except in those AWCs where district administration decides otherwise depending on the local situation.
If COVID cases are detected in future, in any Gram Panchayat, district administration may also close down all the AWCs of that Gram Panchayat forthwith; ensure isolation and other protocols for the beneficiary so affected and intimate the department, the circular read.
The district Collectors have been asked to reopen all such AWCs in the State and continue operating all Anganwadi services, including Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP).
The department has issued a detailed SOP (standard operating procedure) for the reopening of AWCs which is as follows:
The AWCs will be kept open from 7.30 A.M. to 9.30 AM, 25 days a month. Morning snacks and hot cooked meals (HCMs) will be served to the preschoolers (3-6 years) in such a way that the sitting arrangement ensures a social distance amongst children.
However, ration, in lieu of HCMs and eggs will be given to the Anganwadi children at their doorsteps in case of children who are not able to attend AWC due to COVID or some other problem or on the closure of AWC.
Resumption of preschool education as per Nua Arunima curriculum and outdoor activities shall be promoted at AWCs.
However, Ghare Ghare Arunima and kuni calendar shall continue for parent-led ECCE activities at home.
All other Integrated Child Development Services(ICDS) such as immunization, health checkups, referrals and Nutrition & Health Education (NHEd) are to continue.
In order to ensure that all these activities are taken up, in adherence to Covid- 19 protocols, the following mechanisms must be put in place:
i.Anganwadi premises must be kept clean and properly disinfected & sanitized prior to reopening. The assistance of the H & FW and PR & DW authorities may be availed for the purpose.
ii. Handwash facility must be at the entrance with soaps. water and sanitizers. Anyone entering AWC must sanitize hands before entering the center. Children must be motivated to wash hands for 20 seconds singing ‘Aji Mo Janama Dina’ in order to keep them enthused in the process.
iii.Doors and windows of the AWC must be kept open for proper air circulation.
iv. Frequently touched surfaces and sitting & cooking areas must be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals.
v.Anganwadi Workers (AWWs)/ Helpers(AWHs), children and everyone who is visiting AWC must wear face masks and maintain social distance for the entire period of stay in AWCs.
vi.Entry of outsiders into AWCs must be restricted. AWW, AWH, Parents. mothers. adolescent girls or Anganwadi children, with ILI and SARI like symptoms. must be requested to not to visit AWC. Persons above 65 years of age must also be requested not to visit AWCs.
vii. Pregnant and nursing women to come to the AWCs for availing ICDS services. Weekly dose of IFA supplementation and ADVIKA activities for out of school Adolescent girls (10-19 years) and to be done during Kishori Diwas every Saturday at the AWCs. Activities regarding Sakhi Saheli shall continue.
viii. Social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained at all times particularly ‘while having sitting arrangements of children, taking up activities with them. serving food and holding other ICDS activities.
ix. Food hygiene protocols must be strictly adhered to while cooking & serving meals.
x.All AWWs/AWHs should have been fully vaccinated before attending the AWCs. If anyone is not vaccinated, steps should be taken to vaccinate them immediately. In case of willful failure to avail the vaccine, action, as deemed proper, will be initiated against them.
xi. Messages on the prevention of Covid-19 should be displayed at all AWCs.
