Why in News?

=> A new task force was constituted by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh in place of the previously constituted task force with the objective of reducing maternal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and malnutrition.

Key Points:

=> Economist and former member of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, Prof. Shamika Ravi will be the chairperson of the newly formed task force, while the Additional Chief Secretary (Public Health and Family Welfare) will be the secretary of the task force.

=> Additional Chief Secretary Women and Child Development, Mission Director National Health Mission, Professor Head Community Nutrition Intermediate Fellow, DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Indian IIPH Delhi and Dr. Ramesh Agarwal AIIMS, New Delhi have been made members in the Task Force.

=> Lokesh Sharma, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis has been appointed as Member Secretary.

=> The task force will work in coordination with Madhya Pradesh State NITI Aayog and Planning Commission.

=> The Task Force meeting will be held once in a month or as required.

=> The task force will submit a report on proposed interventions and possible effects to the state government by June 30, 2022, to reduce maternal neonatal mortality and stunting.

=> Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis will function as the technical secretariat to provide necessary support to the task force.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED