Hospital deaths just the tip of the iceberg

NEW DELHI: Child healthcare in Gorakhpur emerged in the spotlight after 70 children died in one of its biggest hospitals last week, but data suggests the eastern Uttar Pradesh district presents a better picture than the rest of the state, where facilities are among the worst in the country.

In UP, half of all children below five show signs of stunted growth, only 50% are properly immunised against diseases and nearly three-fourths of expecting mothers have not had adequate antenatal care. In comparison, the national average for incidence of stunted growth is 38.4%, child immunisations is 62%, and at least half of all expecting mothers had at least four antenatal care visits. The findings are part of the government’s National Family Health Survey-4 carried out in 2015-16 in 71 districts.

IMMUNISATION

Balrampur has the lowest number of children who are immunised from serious diseases. Only 7% of children are fully immunised, which includes vaccination for measles and BCG, and three doses each of polio and DPT. Gorakhpur, by comparison, has better rates of immunisation than 62 other districts.

CHILD GROWTH

Poor nutrition, repeated infections and inadequate psychological stimulation is defined by WHO as factors that contribute to stunted growth in children.