BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan reiterated the State Government's commitment towards reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the State during his meeting with UNICEF Country Director Cecilio Adorna this weekend.

Mr. Adorna, who was on an official visit to the State, met the Chief Minister at his residence. During this meeting, he praised the initiatives being taken at the State level to combat the problem of maternal and infant mortality.

The Chief Minister thanked Mr. Adorna for UNICEF's continuous support when it came to addressing issues like malnutrition, child health, water & sanitation, education and rural development and also briefed about interventions like Bal Sanjivini Abhiyan, Bal Shakti Yojana, school enrolment drive, health and water initiatives.

He also focussed attention on the progress achieved with regard to institutionalised delivery, creation of more water bodies through the Jal Abhishek Abhiyan, and the campaign for getting more girls enrolled in schools and tackling the problem of severe malnutrition among children under five years of age.

Mr. Chauhan said that the State Government is committed to lowering maternal and infant mortality rates in coming years. Expressing optimism, Mr. Adorna said that the steps being taken by the State Government should help in getting more girls enrolled for school education and in improving the quality of education as well as in increasing the chances of recruitment for vacant posts in various sectors.

He also shared UNICEF's positive experience of the village planning work undertaken recently in Guna and Shivpuri districts.

New representative

Mr. Adorna introduced the new incoming UNICEF State Representative for Madhya Pradesh Office Hamid El Bashir. On this occasion, the Chief Minister thanked the outgoing State Representative Cynthia de Windt for extending support to the State Government.

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