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Time of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Maharashtra sees over 1.8 lakh malnourished children, over 30K severely malnourished: Minister
1 2 3 Nagpur: Maharashtra recorded 1,82,443 malnourished children across the state, including 30,800 with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 1,51,643 with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), as per the Poshan Tracker data for February 2025. The worrying numbers were shared in a written reply by women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare in the state assembly, where she acknowledged that urban areas are seeing a steeper rise in malnutrition compared to rural regions. Out of 48,14,815 children registered, 47,82,859 had their height and weight measured during the survey cycle, while 31,956 children could not be assessed due to absence or migration, the minister noted. The Mumbai suburban region alone accounted for 2,887 SAM and 13,457 MAM children out of 2,87,113 registered. Of these, 3,976 children were not measured. "The state is taking focused steps to bring down malnutrition through a multi-tiered strategy. We've already filled 2,17,736 out of 2,21,338 sanctioned posts for Anganwadi sevikas and assistants, and recruitment is underway for the remaining. Hiring for child development officers and supervisors is also in progress," Tatkare stated. To tackle the crisis, the state is running several targeted schemes. Under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), hot cooked meals are provided daily to children aged 3 to 6 years, while take-home rations are given to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged 6 months to 3 years. In tribal project areas, the Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Amrit Aahar Yojana provides a daily square meal to pregnant and lactating mothers. Additionally, eggs or bananas are distributed four days a week to children, based on dietary preferences. Special village and urban child development centres have been established to care for SAM children, where they receive three servings daily of energy-dense nutritious food and medical treatment when required. Tatkare further informed the House that programmes under the national Poshan Abhiyaan — including Individualised Learning Approaches (ILA), Community-Based Events (CBE), ICT-based real-time monitoring, and Jan Andolan (mass awareness) — are being implemented rigorously to improve nutritional outcomes. # Malnutrition Status in Maharashtra (Feb 2025) # Statewide Assessment: Total registered children: 48,14,815 Children measured for height & weight: 47,82,859 Children not measured: 31,956 Malnutrition Cases (Statewide): Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM): 30,800 Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM): 1,51,643 # Staffing & Infrastructure: Sanctioned Anganwadi posts: 2,21,338 Filled: 2,17,736 Recruitment ongoing for remaining posts Child development officers & supervisors hiring in progress # Key Govt Interventions: ICDS: Hot meals for 3–6 years; take-home rations for pregnant/lactating mothers and 6m–3y children Amrit Aahar Yojana: One square meal daily for tribal pregnant and lactating women Supplementary nutrition: Eggs/bananas 4 days/week for 6m–6y children SAM Care Centres: Energy-dense food served thrice daily + medical support # Poshan Abhiyaan: Individualised Learning Approaches (ILA) Community-Based Events (CBE) Real-time monitoring (ICT-RTM) Jan Andolan for public awareness
See - Sada Elbalad
01-07-2025
- General
- See - Sada Elbalad
Refugees Escaping Sudan Face Escalating Hunger, Malnutrition as Food Aid Risks Major Reductions
Ahmed Emam The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that millions of Sudanese refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries risk plunging deeper into hunger and malnutrition as critical funding shortages force drastic cuts to life saving food assistance. Since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, more than 4 million people have fled to neighbouring countries in search of food, shelter and safety – with families often arriving traumatised, malnourished, and with little more than the clothes on their backs. WFP quickly mobilized to provide emergency assistance to refugees escaping to seven neighbouring countries. Food and cash, hot meals, and nutrition support have been provided in the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. The agency also expanded support to host communities who have generously welcomed refugees, despite often grappling with their own food insecurity needs. However, continued food assistance is quickly exceeding available funding. WFP's support to Sudanese refugees in CAR, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya may grind to a halt in the coming months as resources run dry. In Uganda, many vulnerable refugees are surviving on less than 500 calories a day – less than a quarter of daily nutritional needs - as new arrivals push refugee support systems to the breaking point. And in Chad, which hosts almost a quarter of the four million refugees who fled Sudan, food rations will be reduced in the coming months unless new contributions are received soon. 'This is a full-blown regional crisis that's playing out in countries that already have extreme levels of food insecurity and high levels of conflict,' said Shaun Hughes, WFP's Emergency Coordinator for the Sudan Regional Crisis. 'Millions of people who have fled Sudan depend wholly on support from WFP, but without additional funding we will be forced to make further cuts to food assistance. This will leave vulnerable families, and particularly children, at increasingly severe risk of hunger and malnutrition.' Children are particularly vulnerable to sustained periods of food insecurity. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates among refugee children in reception centres in Uganda and South Sudan have already breached emergency thresholds as refugees are severely malnourished even before arriving in bordering countries to receive emergency assistance. Inside Sudan, WFP has worked to scale up assistance to reach over 4 million people per month – four times more than at the beginning of 2024. Vital support to new refugees in neighbouring countries was also expanded; in Chad, WFP quadrupled warehouse capacity and expanded food pipelines to support the influx of refugees crossing from Darfur and to sustain cross-border operations into Sudan. In Egypt and South Sudan, WFP scaled up cash assistance after the civil conflict began in 2023, enrolling eligible Sudanese families within hours of arrival to provide immediate support. 'Refugees from Sudan are fleeing for their lives and yet are being met with more hunger, despair, and limited resources on the other side of the border,' said Hughes. 'Food assistance is a lifeline for vulnerable refugee families with nowhere else to turn.' WFP is urging the international community to mobilise additional resources to sustain food and nutrition assistance for Sudan's refugees and the host communities supporting them. WFP needs just over US$200 million to sustain its emergency response for Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries for the next 6 months. An additional $575 million is needed for life-saving operations for the most vulnerable inside Sudan. 'Ultimately, humanitarian support alone will not put an end to conflict and forced displacement –political and global diplomatic action is what's urgently needed to end the fighting so that peace and stability can return,' said Hughes read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean Arts & Culture "6 Ayam" Sets Streaming Date
Mint
22-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Covid-19 now endemic in India, say government scientists as cases decline
New Delhi: Covid-19 has become endemic in India, top scientists at the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) monitoring the virus have said, ruling out the risk of any severe fresh outbreak. The current situation, they noted, is marked by small, isolated episodes rather than large waves of infections. This assessment is reflected in the steadily declining number of active cases. India's active caseload dropped to 5,012 on Sunday, down from 5,976 on Friday, according to official data. Two new deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities this year to 112. Scientists attribute the decline to high population immunity and the continuing mildness of the virus. The current spread is largely driven by Omicron sub-variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, which have so far remained less virulent. 'When transmission efficiency increases, the peak comes faster and the decline is also faster,' said Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, national chair at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former head scientist at the agency. 'Covid-19 has become endemic in India. The concerning part is that we don't want new infections, but the good news is that new variants over the last three years have remained mild or milder.' He also noted that many infections now go undetected but still contribute to building antibody responses in the population, a natural form of immunization that limits severe illness. The testing levels have declined, and comprehensive data on current infections remains limited. 'Presently, there is no very good record of the number of tests being done, and it needs to be done scientifically. But there are no significant adverse clinical symptoms to be concerned about,' one senior DBT scientist said. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, public health expert and past president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Cochin, said that Covid-19 is now behaving like a cyclical disease, with temporary immunity leading to periodic rises in cases. 'As the level of immunity in the population drops, the virus is able to infect more people and cases will naturally rise. However, due to past vaccination and exposure to the virus earlier, immune memory protects against severe disease and death,' he said. Vulnerable individuals, he added, should remain cautious, especially during periods of surge. Jayadevan also pointed out that SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve in response to the human immune system, leading to recurring infection cycles roughly every 6 to 12 months. 'The reported number of cases is always an underestimate because of limited testing,' he said. Influenza, which is also circulating, remains a significant contributor to disease burden, he added. Earlier, Mint reported that a spike in cases during April was driven by the JN.1.16 sub-variant of Omicron. In May, most cases were linked to recombinant sub-lineages such as LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. As per government guidelines, all hospitalized Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) patients and 5% of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) cases continue to be tested for Covid-19. Positive SARI samples are routinely sent for genome sequencing. The health ministry reported 1,197 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing total recoveries this year to 19,435. Authorities continue to advise precautions, including avoiding crowded places when unwell and following Covid-appropriate behaviour. 'In hospitals too, patient load has come down and most cases are now manageable at home,' said Dr Vikas Maurya, head of the respiratory department at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
UAE, WHO launch humanitarian initiative to combat malnutrition among women, children in Socotra Island
Socotra Island [Yemen], June 4 (ANI/WAM): As part of the strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works has launched a humanitarian initiative to combat malnutrition among children and women in Socotra Island in Yemen. The initiative reflects the UAE's commitment to help nations around the world improve their healthcare sector. It aims to address pressing health issues in Socotra, where nutritional inadequacy, especially among children, is a major challenge. Global reports say that Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate in the island has reached 10.9 per cent, and the Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rate is 1.6 per cent among children under five. Internationally, GAM rates between 10 per cent and 14 per cent are classified as serious, while SAM rates above 1 per cent are considered alarming. Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director-General of the Foundation, stressed the UAE's humanitarian and global responsibility to develop communities and enhance critical health services. "This stems from the enduring humanitarian legacy of the late Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO," he said. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. "The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action spanning over two years. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics," he added. Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo said, "This joint effort reflects our shared vision of building resilient health systems in Yemen. Together with the UAE and national authorities we are working to address urgent needs and lay the foundation for long-term health security on the Island. Through this partnership, WHO and the UAE aim to build stronger, more responsive and more equitable health systems to serve the people of Socotra and contribute to a healthier, more resilient Yemen." The initiative is part of joint aid activities between the UAE and WHO in Yemen aimed to provide urgent food relief and curb nutritional and health deterioration across various population groups. It will strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Socotra by training medical staff, supplying medications, and establishing emergency preparedness mechanisms. It also seeks to implement sustainable solutions for malnutrition, ensure food security, raise community awareness, and improve disease surveillance for more effective medical interventions based on ongoing assessments and studies.
Dubai Eye
03-06-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
UAE- WHO initiative aims to combat malnutrition on Yemen's Socotra Island
The UAE's Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday launched an initiative aimed at combatting malnutrition among women and children on Yemen's Socotra Island. Global reports say that Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate in the island has reached 10.9 per cent, and the Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rate is 1.6 per cent among children under five. Internationally, GAM rates between 10 per cent and 14 per cent are classified as serious, while SAM rates above 1 per cent are considered alarming. Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, Director-General of the Foundation, stressed the UAE's humanitarian and global responsibility to develop communities and enhance critical health services. 'This stems from the enduring humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO,' he said. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. 'The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action spanning over two years. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics,' he added. Acting WHO Representative in Yemen Dr. Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo said, 'This joint effort reflects our shared vision of building resilient health systems in Yemen. Together with the UAE and national authorities we are working to address urgent needs and lay the foundation for long-term health security on the Island. "Through this partnership, WHO and the UAE aim to build stronger, more responsive and more equitable health systems to serve the people of Socotra and contribute to a healthier, more resilient Yemen.' The initiative is part of joint aid activities between the UAE and WHO in Yemen aimed to provide urgent food relief and curb nutritional and health deterioration across various population groups. It will strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Socotra by training medical staff, supplying medications, and establishing emergency preparedness mechanisms. It also seeks to implement sustainable solutions for malnutrition, ensure food security, raise community awareness, and improve disease surveillance for more effective medical interventions based on ongoing assessments and studies.
