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Kurnool tops in child malnutrition
Kurnool district tops in child malnutrition with 41 per cent, according to a study conducted by UNICEF. The child malnutrition ratio in the State stands at 31.4 per cent against national average of 39 per cent. NICEF and AP Legislative Assembly organised a State-level symposium on child nutrition titled, ‘Invest in the first 1000 days of life’ here on Friday.
Vijayawada: Kurnool district tops in child malnutrition with 41 per cent, according to a study conducted by UNICEF. The child malnutrition ratio in the State stands at 31.4 per cent against national average of 39 per cent. NICEF and AP Legislative Assembly organised a State-level symposium on child nutrition titled, ‘Invest in the first 1000 days of life’ here on Friday.
“Child malnutrition is found more in rural areas due to lack of awareness with 32.5 per cent as against 28.3 per cent in urban areas. Though the nutrition level among children has been improving for the past one decade 46.8 million children are still affected,” said Dr Saba Mebrahtu, chief, child development and nutrition, UNICEF, India.
- Chief Minister moots Assembly forum to discuss child nutrition, decides to set up nutrition mission
- Speaker appeals to MLAs to work for child nutrition
Participating as chief guest Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stressed the need for achieving child malnutrition-free Andhra Pradesh in next ten years. He said that it is the responsibility of every citizen to provide nutritious food to children for a healthy society.
“Amruta Hastam scheme was launched to provide nutritious food to poor pregnant women. An action plan should be implemented to provide nutritious food to children within six months,” he said. The Chief Minister said that a forum would be floated in Assembly to discuss on child malnutrition and added that a nutrition mission would be set up by the government. He asked the MLAs to take initiative to provide nutritious food to women and children in their respective constituencies.
Presiding over the programme, Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said that social and economic problems are leading to malnutrition among children. He said that the State government has been implementing several programmes including Gorumuddalu and Girigorumuddalu to improve nutritious levels among mother and children.
The Speaker said that the nutrition levels among our children are low than the children of African countries. AP Legislative Council chairman Chakrapani said legislative bodies should take up social issues for developing a healthy society.
Earlier addressing the meeting, Minister for Women and Child Welfare Peethala Sujatha explained about various schemes introduced for the welfare of women and children. She said that the government would make efforts to supply Balamrutam soon to improve nutrition level among children.
Minister for Rural Development K Mrinalini said priority should be given for both nutrition and sanitation. She explained how the nutrition levels can be improved with less expenditure.
CII, AP chairman GS Shivkumar said that under corporate social responsibility operation Vidya project is being implemented in 1,100 hamlets in Araku area of Visakhapatnam district. A foreign company also came forward to extend financial help to provide hygienic food to 6,000 children through Akshayapatra foundation at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.
