41% Children Under Age of 5 Dying of Malnutrition: WHO

Date: 16 Nov, 2015

Publication: Pioneer

Author: Radhika Nagrath

Edition: Internet

To deal with the problem of malnutrition in Haridwar district, the district administration in assistance from the State Government has launched many schemes. But the ground reality is that 41 per cent of the children under the age of five die due to malnutrition in the State, as per the latest census by World Health Organisation. Things are  grim in Haridwar district. Over 60 percent of the State's malnutrition-stricken children are from Haridwar district alone.

A lot needs to be done on this issue to save the 'innocence' for the want of nutritious food, admit the district authorities. Anti-malnutrition drives launched by the State Government seem to be an eye-wash with children still dying for the inadequacy of the nutritious food.

The 'Khilti Kaliyan' scheme launched by the State Government last month is yet to take roots in the district. Under this scheme launched by the Chief Minister, the politicians and government personnel, the MLAs and the Gram Pradhans are to adopt two malnutrition-afflicted children.

The stark reality remains that out of 2,50,000 children in the age group of 0-5 years in the district, 2000 are severe acute malnutrition (SAM) children. 10,000, though not falling under severe malnutrition category, are likely  to jump to the severe category in no time  if  proper care is not taken. Read more