A significant advancement in using artificial intelligence for improved child health was achieved today with the launch of a five-day Training and Workshop on “AI for Growth Monitoring: Development of an AI Tool for Child Anthropometry.” The event, held at the ICMR Auditorium Hall in Bhubaneswar, was inaugurated by Smt. Shubha Sarma, Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Odisha.
The inaugural event was attended by distinguished guests, including Dr. Sanghamitra Pati, Director of ICMR-RMRCBB and Additional Director General of ICMR, Delhi; Shri N.C. Jyotiranjan Nayak, Additional Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department; Dr. Makarand Tapaswi, Lead Investigator from Wadhwani AI; Dr. Subhendu Kumar Acharya, Scientist-D at ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar; and Dr. Sneha Nikam, National Program Lead from Wadhwani AI.
During the event, a comprehensive training module was introduced by the dignitaries to support the field team in the vital data collection process for the development of the AI tool. This collaborative initiative is a joint effort involving the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Government of India, Wadhwani AI, ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar, and Poshan Abhiyaan, Government of India. The goal is to create an AI-based solution that simplifies and enhances the accuracy of child anthropometric measurements conducted by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs).
AI Meets Healthcare: Odisha’s Pilot Program for Child Growth Innovation
The planned AI tool will automate the recording of essential child anthropometric data, such as weight, height, head circumference, and chest circumference, through short videos captured on basic smartphones operated by AWWs. This innovative approach aims to improve the feasibility and precision of anthropometric assessments, allowing for the early detection of malnutrition in children.
Odisha is the first state in India to pilot this important study focused on developing an AI Tool for Child Anthropometry. Drawing on its previous experience in implementing impactful child health initiatives, Odisha is leading this effort, with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh set to follow.
During the five-day training and workshop, field investigators will receive in-depth hands-on training on measuring key growth indicators using standardized protocols. Expert trainers from the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar, and Wadhwani AI will conduct the training. After the training, the field investigators (trainees) will carry out a targeted data collection effort over 3 to 4 months across the districts of Balasore, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj for the pilot assessment and execution.
