18-month-old toddler dies of malnutrition in Karjat

Mumbai: An 18-month-old girl allegedly died due to malnutrition at Karjat taluka’s Neral village on Friday. The baby, Sonali Bhasker, had been ill since October 5, when she was identified in a survey and provided dietary supplements. However, she ultimately succumbed to weakness, said a senior state health officer. Sonali weighed only 1.5kg, according to the officer.

Stating that the girl’s parents were given the necessary food supplements after she was detected with weakness, an officer told The Asian Age, “We are trying our level best to tackle malnourishment among children.”

When asked whether all children falling under the malnourished category and expecting mothers in the taluka were availing of facilities provided by the government, the officer said, “We are implementing 17 types of schemes to tackle this issue, but since the parents are not very educated, we are struggling to make them understand the importance of taking their children for medical treatment and making them consume dietary supplements.”

Ashok Jangale, who is associated with Disha Kendra — a nodal agency working with the government to tackle malnourishment, said that though Sonali was weak, her parents had failed to take her for medical assessment. “When the medico in the health post checked her, she was referred to city-based hospital, but her parents did not take her there,” he said.

Stating that half of the children residing in these areas were suffering from undernourishment, Mr Jangale said that a few anganwadi sevikas, who were working in the area had resigned in July. “As the anganwadi’s assistant was also on leave, 17 small children were deprived of nutrition and other facilities in this area,” he said.

Alleging mismanagement of the development projects in Karjat taluka, Mr Jangle added,  “Lack of education, migration for work, deprivation of healthcare for women, liquor addiction among men, lack of healthcare during the migration period and pregnancy are adding to the woes of tribal children.”