The state government on Friday conceded that there were about 7,788 cases of children suffering from extreme malnourishment (grade 3 and 4 cases).
Admits to more than 7,000 cases, numbers rising in urban slums
The state government on Friday conceded that there were about 7,788 cases of children suffering from extreme malnourishment (grade 3 and 4 cases). A majority of these children have acute problems like kidney failure, heart diseases and cancer. To make matters worse, the government also admits there has been gradual rise in the number of malnutrition cases in urban slums.
Despite launching a state-wide campaign — the Rajmata Jijau Mata Bal Vikas Mission — the government has failed to check the rise of malnourishment cases among children in rural Maharashtra as well as in urban slums. Compared to last year, the number of children suffering from grade 3 or 4 malnourishment has risen to alarming levels, while grade 2 cases have been on the decline.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh held a meeting with nodal ministries, including Health, Child and Woman Welfare, Rural Development that are fight to eradicate malnourishment among children.
Deshmukh said, “It is a cause for alarm as grade 3 and 4 cases are increasing. The government will have to take corrective measures to stem the problem.”
However, officials cited issues like inadequate health care facilities, lack of nutritious food, non-payment of salaries to rural health workers (anganwadi sevikas) for the past six months, which have aggravated the problem.
Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil said, “The quality of food provided to tribal areas, which have reported the maximum number of malnutrition cases, is of low quality. When I visited Dhule and Nandurbar districts recently, I noticed that even the fresh stock of grains was of low quality. I cannot imagine what they feed the children.”
To make matters worse, the 25,000 state-appointed health-care workers are grossly underpaid. The state has stopped paying Rs450 per person (its contribution), and only gives Rs1,000 per worker from central funds. Also, a shortage of qualified doctors and poor road networks have compounded problems.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}