Evaluation of Government Nutrition Programs for Infants in the Pannala Moh Area

This study evaluates the effectiveness and challenges of government-initiated nutrition programs for infants in the Pannala MOH division of Sri Lanka. Despite Sri Lanka's commendable national health policies, infant malnutrition remains prevalent in rural regions like Pannala. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews, to assess caregiver awareness, program accessibility, midwife officer challenges, and maternal participation. Key programs reviewed include the Nutrition Clinics, Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP), and Thriposha Program. Findings indicate that although awareness of these programs is relatively high, participation is hindered by supply inconsistencies, transportation barriers, staffing shortages, and socioeconomic disparities. Statistical analysis revealed strong positive correlations between program effectiveness, family socioeconomic status, parental feeding knowledge, and infant nutritional outcomes. The study concludes that while government programs are well-structured, their impact is limited by implementation and operational challenges. Recommendations include improving supply chains, expanding community education, deploying mobile clinics, enhancing staff capacity, and fostering NGO partnerships. The findings aim to guide policymakers and health authorities in strengthening maternal and child nutrition interventions, especially in underserved areas.