- Cases of malnutrition among children declined in Madhya Pradesh
- Rate of thinness decreased to 18.9 percent in 2020-21
- Performance of malnutrition in state is at second place
Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh has been getting consistent success in the fight against malnutrition in the last 20 years. From the comparative analysis of the data released by National Family Health Survey-3 year 2005-06 and National Family Health Survey-5 year 2019-21, it is clear that cases of malnutrition among children in the state have declined.
While in Madhya Pradesh in 2005-06, 60 per cent children were underweight according to their age, in the year 2020-21 this figure decreased to 33 per cent. A decline of 45% was recorded during this period, due to which Madhya Pradesh is at third place in the country. In the year 2005-06, the rate of thinness was 35%, which decreased to 18.9% in 2020-21. In this also, a decline of 16.1 points i.e. 45.9% was recorded, due to which the state is at second place in the country.
In cases of severe thinness, there was a decline from 12.6% to 6.5% i.e. 6.1 points (48.7%), due to which Madhya Pradesh is at second place in the country in this category also. It is clear from these figures that in the last 20 years, the problem of malnutrition in the state has not only stopped, but a continuous decline has also been recorded in it. Especially in dangerous categories like low weight and thinness, Madhya Pradesh’s performance is at second place in the country.
The data of the Poshan Tracker App operated by the Government of India to keep an eye on the status of malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh has shown a positive picture of malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh.
Through this app, continuous improvement in the malnutrition condition of children is being reflected in the last one year.
Efforts of Madhya Pradesh Government
To deal with the problem of malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh, the state government has implemented several schemes. Prominent among them are: Role of Anganwadi workers Anganwadi workers in the state have been entrusted with the responsibility of identifying malnourished children and giving nutrition related advice to their families. Due to the efforts of these workers, a steady decline in malnutrition has been recorded. Under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Child Health and Nutrition Mission, the state government has made plans for the prevention of malnutrition with its financial resources. In this scheme, special efforts are being made to prevent malnutrition by making action plans according to the needs of each district. With the participation of the community, under community based awareness programs, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children between 6 months and 24 months have been targeted. Mangal Diwas is regularly celebrated in Anganwadi centers, in which awareness activities related to nutrition are organized.
