The Bombay high court (HC) has directed the state government to carry out research on the type of food and nutritional supplements which would prove beneficial to malnourished children by improving their health.A division bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice P D Kode said, "We are also of the view that it is necessary to do some research in respect of the food and nutritional medicines to be given to the malnutrition children since their food habits may differ from place to place. Therefore, it is necessary to find out which food would be suitable and acceptable to these children."The research has to be initiated under the Ramajata Jijaun Mother Child health and Nutrition Mission. The court said, "If such research has already been done, the result of the research may be made available."The court felt that since there different children suffered from different types of malnourishment (from moderate to severe), the food provided should be palliative so the children are willing to consume it. It said, "If condition of the children is found to be severe malnutrition or moderate malnutrition, then food supplements will have to be provided in a phased manner, otherwise it can have an adverse effect on the health of these children."The directions were given during the hearing of a bunch of PILs, including that of Purnima Upadhyay, member of NGO Khoj, seeking effective implementation of the state and central schemes to fight malnourishment in 11 sensitive tribal areas which include Thane, Nashik, Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, Amravati and Nandurbar districts.

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