Sandeep Ashar,TNN,Mar 2, 2011,
MUMBAI: The state government has decided to give Mumbai special status while implementing measures to tackle malnutrition.
Disconcerted by reports of infant deaths and periodic cases of acute malnutrition among children in certain pockets, the government has appointed experts to formulate a scheme to tackle the menace in Mumbai.
The women and child welfare department has appointed experts from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Tiss) and Pune's Yashada to draft the scheme.
The move comes following reports of malnutrition-triggered infant deaths at Rafiq Nagar in Govandi last year. It also follows reports that nearly 30% of 7.3 lakh slum children below four were suffering from acute malnutrition.
Varsha Gaikwad, minister, women and child welfare, said malnutrition was a manifestation of deeper problems of poverty and lack of access to infrastructure and basic facilities. "It cannot be addressed by solely focusing on providing supplementary nutrition. It requires a broader approach, which includes ensuring better health facilities, uninterrupted supply of basic amenities and spreading awareness among people."
An official said the expert team had been told to work on all aspects while formulating the plan. She said the decision for a special plan for Mumbai was taken as the context of malnutrition here differed from other areas in the state. The expert panel is expected to submit its report within two months.
Gaikwad, who had inspected slums in Govandi after infant deaths, said unclean surroundings and lack of water supply were major reasons for malnutrition. Early marriage among women was also a problem, she said, adding that she found many such cases in the slum pocket. "Children born in many such marriages are underweight and unhealthy as the mother's body is not mature enough to bear babies."
Gaikwad said she had instructed the authorities to carry out regular health check-ups for early detection and treatment of undernourished children in Govandi and other chronic belts.
The department has also told the state administration to amend development control regulations to make provision for anganwadis mandatory in redevelopment projects of slum colonies and dilapidated buildings with over 100 tenements. "This will lead to an increase in anganwadis and will improve coverage under the integrated child development scheme," an official said. Even as norms recommend one such centre for slum inhabitants, the city has only 5,132 for a slum population of over 64 lakh.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-02/mumbai/28646722_1_acute-malnutrition-infant-deaths-child-development-scheme
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