Forty one per cent of children below the age of six years living in the slums of Mumbai are underweight, according to a study conducted by NGO Child Rights and You (CRY).
The report also states that of these children, 56 per cent need immediate medical care. Among these underweight children, 43.2 per cent are boys while 38.9 per cent of them are girls.
According to the survey on the status of health, nutrition and education of children below the age of six years in slums of the city, 51 per cent under the age of three years have not received any vaccination at all. The survey was conducted in areas like Jogeshwari, Bandra, Bhayander, Parel village and Ghatkopar.
Also, according to the report, the enrollment of children in anganwadis in slum children stood at a despondent figure of 62 per cent and only 36 per cent of parents whose children were enrolled in anganwadis reported that their wards’ growth was being monitored on a monthly basis. Again, 19 per cent of the children did not receive vitamin A, 40 per cent did not receive the IFA supplements that children enrolled in anganwadis are supposed to be provided with.
In accordance with the norm that anganwadis should keep parents updated with the children’s health conditions, 62 percent of parents were not informed that their child is malnourished.
