Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 12: The Kerala government will introduce 'Family Sustainability Mapping' across the State to identify children living in high-risk family environments at an early stage, Minister for Women and Child Development Bindhu Krishna has said.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, November 11, to announce the Ujjwala Balyam Awards, the minister said the decision to introduce the initiative was taken at a meeting convened following the recent death of a two-year-old child in Alappuzha due to suspected malnutrition.

Under the proposed initiative, the circumstances and living conditions of families and children will be assessed to identify vulnerable households and ensure timely intervention.

The exercise will be carried out with the cooperation of schools, Anganwadis, local self-government institutions, District Child Protection Units, healthcare workers and the police.

The initiative aims to strengthen the identification of children facing neglect, malnutrition and other potentially harmful circumstances within their homes and communities.

The government intends to use the mapping exercise to identify warning signs at an early stage and coordinate support through various departments and local institutions.

The proposed statewide initiative is expected to strengthen child protection mechanisms and help prevent similar tragedies by ensuring that vulnerable children receive timely attention and assistance.