Growing among Bidar's children sparks concern
From the 1,13,640 children assessed in 2024-25, as many as 838 suffer from SAM, while 6,369 experience moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Contributing factors include congenital diseases, insufficient nutritious food during pregnancy, and premature births.
Despite the govt's allocation towards the Integrated Child Development Services programme for nutrition initiatives, departmental sources indicate budget reductions in 2024, escalating the situation.
The World Health Organisation characterises SAM as a significantly low weight-for-height ratio. Both MAM and SAM conditions seriously impact children's health. SAM-affected children are substantially underweight relative to their height, while MAM increases the likelihood of childhood illness and mortality.
Malnutrition affects children across all district taluks. Despite earnest efforts by the women and child welfare department and health department to combat malnutrition, reaching affected populations remains a challenging task.
Various schemes exist to address malnutrition, requiring proper implementation. The effectiveness of departmental officials' actions remains to be seen.
Taluka-wise distribution of affected children (SAM - MAM) is as follows: Basavakalyan 113-1,324, Bhalki 283-1,431, Bidar 39-1,174, Humanabad 120-1409, Aurad 283-1,031, totalling to 838- 6,369
Sridhar, deputy director of the women and child development department, told TOI that sincere efforts are being made to eliminate malnutrition in the district, for which all kinds of measures will be taken.
"Parents should also give nutritious food to children at home," he advised.
Shasidhara Kosambe,a member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, explained that variations in eating patterns lead children to reject food both at home and at anganwadi centres. He emphasised that anganwadi teachers need to vigilantly supervise food distribution. By tracking daily food portions served, eaten, and remaining, staff can effectively assess children's nutritional requirements.
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