State launches new fight against malnutrition

MUMBAI: Although the percentage of malnutrition in the state has improved by 8% in the past six years taking it above the national average, cases are on the rise in peri-urban areas such as Nashik.

This was revealed by a survey report done by the Unicef and released by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who launched a five- point programme on Friday to fight the menace over the next four years.

The programme will focus on 1,000 days crucial in the process of a child starting from its conception.

“It includes reduction of anemia in women to 26% from 52%, reduction of birth rate to 10% from 20%, and improving the rate of breast feeding to the newborn to 80% from the exist ing 61%. The target is set to be achieved by the end of 2017,” Chavan said.

“We are not claiming that the menace of malnutrition has been eradicated from the state. The issue of malnourishment is serious in certain pockets and we have formulated a time bound programme... We will concentrate on the worse off pockets including the ones in Nashik,” he said.

The report says the nutritional status of children in Nashik division is worse than in Amravati division where Melghat region has become a synonym for malnutrition.

According to the National Family Health Survey 200506, the state average of nutritional parameters stunting, underweight and wasting stood at 39%, 19.9% and 29.6% respectively.

CONTINUED ON P6