Amid 87 Malnutrition Treatment Centres (MTC), prevalence of malnutrition in Jharkhand is the second highest among all States. Nearly 62 percent of total children in the State (roughly about 85,000) have been found malnourished while 12.50 percent of them have been identified as ‘Severe Acute Malnutrition’ (SAM), said Dr Vijay Shankar Prasad, Director, State Health department.
Prasad admitted that the ‘lack of willingness’ is the main reason behind the high rise in malnutrition cases in Jharkhand.
Despite the sturdy initiatives by the Government, numbers of cases are increasing consistently. As per the National Family Health Survey 2005-06, nearly 35 percent of total children in the State (45,000) were malnourished. Among them 55 percent were identified as SAM. The State has 54.6 per cent underweight and 47.2 per cent stunted children in the age group of 0 to 5.
In a bid to eliminate the curse of malnutrition, at least 87 MTC centers were allotted and funded (9.8 lakh to each) across the State but maximums of them are not opened yet while several opened and later closed, said Prasad.
For Bokaro itself four MTC centers were allotted at Gomia, Nawadih, Phusro and Chas and only one (at Chas) is running, said Prasad. Two of them at Nawadih and Gomia are yet to open while MTC center at Phushro, which was opened earlier, has been closed now. “I have given instruction to opened the centers at the earliest”, said Prasad.
Government initiated the MTC centers to provide Medical Care, Feeding with Therapeutic Diet, Micronutrient Supplementation and for Counseling on Infant and Young Child Nutrition, he said.
Though most of the children with SAM admitted at the MTCs are likely to have some form of medical complication like hypothermia, hypoglycemia or diarrhea, appropriate medical care is provided to all the children admitted at the MTC, he said.
“All the children admitted in MTC are provided with nutritious diets on time. While in order to ensure quick recovery, the child is provided with micronutrient supplementation which includes iron, Vitamin A, magnesium, zinc, folic acid and potassium as per norms”, added Prasad.
The child’s immunisation is also kept in mind at the MTC while mothers are given daily sessions on infant and young child feeding. This also includes involving them in comforting, feeding and bathing children.
The mothers are also sensitised about the importance of stimulation and how to make and use toys, he said.
On staying at MTC with child, the mothers will get Rs 150 per day and additional Rs 50 for food, he informed.
Prasad rushed to Bokaro on Monday and took an account of MTC center across the district.