Pankaja Munde distances child deaths from malnutrition

Nagpur: Despite giving a written reply that 21,985 child deaths had occurred in Maharashtra in 2015-16 to a specific question on malnutrition, women and child development minister Pankaja Munde said that all the deaths were not caused by malnutrition. While speaking in the assembly on Thursday on the issue of malnutrition, Ms Munde also replied that from April to August 2016, 9,563 deaths among children were recorded of which 7,868 were infants. However, she claimed that the infant mortality rate had come down in the state. The Bombay high court had rapped the government in September this year after a reply to an RTI query revealed there were 17,000 deaths due to malnutrition in the state in the past year.

In the discussion on the malnutrition issue, the minister emphasised on the administrative measures taken by the government. In a written reply given by the women and child development department regarding malnutrition, Ms Munde has stated, “From April 2016 to August 2016, the state witnessed 9,563 child deaths of which 7,868 were infants. In 2015-16 the state recorded 21,985 child deaths of which 17,944 were infants. Malnutrition is the serious issue, but all child and infant deaths are not always due to the malnutrition.”

She also claimed while speaking in the house that the infant mortality rate had come down from 24 (per thousand) in 2013 to 22 (per thousand) in 2014. However, the deaths mentioned above do not have the infant mortality rate in the year 2014, 2015 and 2016.

In the discussion, Leader of Opposition in the assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil alleged that the government was not serious about the issue. “The governor had to intervene in the matter after we complained. The Amrut scheme started for tribal mothers which gives Rs 25 to them has been marred by demonetisation. The 16 tribal districts are helpless in the absence of infrastructure,” he said.

In her reply, Ms Munde said a consolidated plan had been prepared by the women and child welfare department, the health department and the tribal department.

“We have approved a nutrition policy under which eggs and bananas are provided. The Amrut Aahar scheme monitors pregnant women to ensure proper nourishment before the birth,” she said.