CHIEF MINISTER Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated his commitment to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Madhya Pradesh during his meeting with UNICEF country director Cecilio Adorna.

Cecilio Adorna met the Chief Minister on Saturday at the CM House during his official visit to the State. He praised the State’s efforts in combating maternal and infant mortality and hoped this would be carried forward.

Chief Minister thanked him for UNICEF’s support in various initiatives in the areas including combating of malnutrition, supporting child health, water and sanitation, education and rural development interventions especially Bal Sanjivini Abhiyan, Bal Shakti Yojana, school enrolment drive, health and water initiatives.

The Chief Minister shared with him the State’s progress in increased institutional delivery, creation of more water bodies through the Jal Abhishek Abhiyan, getting more girls into schools through the enrolment drive and decrease in severe malnutrition among children under five years of age.

He added the State was committed to decrease maternal and infant mortality rates in coming years and would take more steps in the same direction.

The Chief Minister told Adorna the State was planning to take positive steps to help increase sanitation coverage and use of iodised salt in public distribution system in coming months. The UNICEF office-bearer expressed the hope that the State’s positive steps would help get more girls into schools and improve the quality of education and increase recruitment for vacant positions in the various sectors.

Adorna shared UNICEF’s positive experience of village planning work in Guna and Shivpuri. Adorna also introduced incoming UNICEF State Representative, Madhya Pradesh Hamid El Bashir to Chouhan.

Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to outgoing State Representative Cynthia de Windt for her support. Secretary to the Chief Minister Anurag Jain and UNICEF communication officer Anil Gulati were also present at the meeting.