98 Melghat infants died of malnutrition in September
AMRAVATI: A lot of money is being spent to curb Melghat's malnutrition malaise, yet, children continue to die.
As per Zilla Parishad health department data, 289 children have died due to malnutrition from April-September this year, with September alone recording 98 deaths of children in various grades of malnutrition.
Of the 98 deaths, 79 were from Dharni and 19 from Chikhaldara. Figures point out that 54 children died due to severe acute malnutrition, 21 deaths were caused by moderate acute malnutrition and 23 died of normal grade of malnutrition in this predominantly tribal belt.
The number of malnourished children in Melghat is also startling. The ZP health administration has identified 5,222 chidren as suffering from severe malnutrition in Melghat alone and 11,009 others were categorised as suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.
This, despite the fact that there are 11 primary health centres (PHCs) in Melghat, various schemes like Child Development Centres, Day Care Centres, Matrutva Anudan scheme, Pada volunteers scheme focusing on the overall health of the tribals.
Rs 16 crore has been earmarked under the National Rural Health Mission. But, most of the money is spent on infrastructure.
The government's staggering figures on infant and maternal mortality have raised a question mark on effectiveness of the schemes' implementation.
As per Zilla Parishad health department data, 289 children have died due to malnutrition from April-September this year, with September alone recording 98 deaths of children in various grades of malnutrition.
Of the 98 deaths, 79 were from Dharni and 19 from Chikhaldara. Figures point out that 54 children died due to severe acute malnutrition, 21 deaths were caused by moderate acute malnutrition and 23 died of normal grade of malnutrition in this predominantly tribal belt.
The number of malnourished children in Melghat is also startling. The ZP health administration has identified 5,222 chidren as suffering from severe malnutrition in Melghat alone and 11,009 others were categorised as suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.
This, despite the fact that there are 11 primary health centres (PHCs) in Melghat, various schemes like Child Development Centres, Day Care Centres, Matrutva Anudan scheme, Pada volunteers scheme focusing on the overall health of the tribals.
Rs 16 crore has been earmarked under the National Rural Health Mission. But, most of the money is spent on infrastructure.
The government's staggering figures on infant and maternal mortality have raised a question mark on effectiveness of the schemes' implementation.
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