Depressing scenario in Telugu States

The World Bank report notes that Telangana has a high neonatal mortality rate. With 28 deaths per 1000 live births, neonatal mortality constitutes 65 per cent of all infant deaths. Almost 15 per cent of children aged less than three years are underweight for their height, putting them at risk of illness due to low immunity. More than two thirds of married women in the age group of 15-49 years suffer from anaemia. Eight in 10 children under three years of age are anaemic.

Only three in 10 women in Telangana initiate breast feeding immediately after birth. Less than one-third children are exclusively breasted in the first six months of their life. In Nalgonda district 59.9 per cent of women between aged between 20-24 years were married before the legal age; in Mahabubnagar 58.9 percent, Adilabad 55.5 per cent and and Khammam55 per cent .

Only 43 per cent of the households have access to a drinking water facility nearby in the State. Only 27 per cent of the rural households have access to a toilet facility (Census 2011). Schools in Telangana face the same situation, which influences the dropout rate, especially of adolescent girls in rural areas.

Hygiene is a major area of concern among children. Nearly half of the children don't wash their hands with soap before taking food and after defecation, posing a serious health risk. In affected villages fluorosis, a crippling disease mainly caused by excessive intake of fluoride through water and food, affects as many as 30 per cent of residents.

In Andhra Pradesh, high rates of malnutrition are endemic to the State. Almost 40 per cent (37 per cent) of children aged less than three years are underweight and 34 per cent are stunted. Wasting is recorded among 13 per cent of children and the micronutrient situation is equally disturbing with nearly 79 per cent of children suffering from anaemia.

While the State can boast of increasing private investments in health sector in the form of corporate hospitals, the impact of declining public investment in the primary health sector is being reflected in key indicators: nearly one-third of child births are still happening at home (31 per cent) and the Maternal Mortality Rate is as high as 195 deaths per 100,000 live births. The full immunisation rate has dropped down to just 46 per cent from 59 per cent.

The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is a significant challenge to Andhra Pradesh, with 33.4% deaths per 1000 live births. This contributes 70 per cent of all infant deaths. Nearly 60% of births in the State are not registered, implying a loss of child’s basic identity. Only 25% of women in AP initiate breastfeeding immediately after birth. More than four in 10 children aged less than five year stunted. More than half of adolescent girls in the age-group of 15-19 years suffer from anemia (56%).

A large number of children in the State are forced to work at young age and women and child trafficking – Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts – is a growing area of concern. Open defecation is practised by 68% of rural households. Many schools have no toilets, which influences the dropout rate- especially adolescent girls – in rural areas. Only 48% of rural households have access to treated drinking water on site.