Poshan Tracker App

The Poshan Tracker App is a key digital tool rolled out by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, designed to support the Poshan Abhiyaan Initiative aimed at combating malnutrition in India. However, despite its potential, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) are facing several challenges in using the app, primarily due to technical glitches and connectivity issues.

About the Poshan Tracker App:

Launched on March 1, 2021, the Poshan Tracker is a mobile-based application that functions as a specialized digital platform for Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), and beneficiaries. It is a critical tool for improving nutrition service delivery and supporting the government's fight against malnutrition.

Key Features:

1. Direct Data Capture: AWWs can record attendance, track the distribution of nutritional supplements, and update health parameters for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers directly from the field.

2. Real-time Updates: The app offers real-time updates on nutrition indicators, helping government authorities keep track of resource usage, stock availability, and beneficiary outreach.

3. Timely Reporting: It enables real-time reporting for decision-making and prompt intervention by authorities.

4. Access Control: The app’s access is limited to designated users, including government-authorized staff and registered beneficiaries.

Poshan Abhiyaan Initiative:

Launched in March 2018, the Poshan Abhiyaan aims to address the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 0-6 years. The initiative targets a reduction in stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight among these vulnerable groups.

Objectives:

• Reduce stunting in children (0-6 years).

• Reduce undernutrition in children (0-6 years).

• Reduce anaemia prevalence in children (6-59 months) and in women and adolescent girls (15-49 years).

• Reduce low birth weight (LBW).

Challenges Faced by Anganwadi Workers:

Despite its benefits, many Anganwadi Workers have expressed frustration with the app due to technical glitches and connectivity issues.

1. Technical Glitches: Workers often experience bugs and app crashes, leading to data loss or inaccurate reporting. These glitches can delay the tracking of crucial nutrition data, which impacts the timely delivery of services.

2. Connectivity Issues: In many rural and remote areas, internet access is unreliable, making it difficult for workers to update records or transmit real-time data. This slows down the decision-making process, impacting the efficiency of the Poshan Abhiyaan.

Why It Matters:

1. Efficiency in Service Delivery: The Poshan Tracker app is meant to make nutrition services more efficient, allowing Anganwadi Workers to monitor and report nutrition indicators directly from the field. However, technical barriers are limiting its effectiveness.

2. Impact on Malnutrition Efforts: The Poshan Abhiyaan Initiative targets critical areas such as undernutrition and anaemia, which affect millions of children, adolescent girls, and women in India. Delays or inaccuracies in data reporting can hinder the timely intervention that could otherwise help address these issues.

3. Monitoring and Accountability: The Poshan Tracker is integral to government monitoring and ensuring the success of the initiative. Without real-time data, it becomes challenging for authorities to track progress and make necessary adjustments to policies or interventions.

Way Forward:

To address these challenges, it may be essential for the Ministry of Women and Child Development to:

1. Upgrade the App: Ensuring better technical support and regular updates to fix bugs and improve stability.

2. Improve Connectivity: Collaborating with the telecommunication sector to improve internet access in rural and remote areas where the app is most needed.

3. Training and Support: Providing ongoing training and technical assistance to Anganwadi Workers to ensure they can effectively use the app, even when faced with connectivity challenges.

Conclusion:

The Poshan Tracker App has great potential to enhance the Poshan Abhiyaan Initiative and significantly improve nutrition outcomes in India. However, addressing the technical glitches and connectivity issues faced by Anganwadi Workers is crucial to its success.