Malnutrition is a complex and multi-dimensional issue, affected by poverty, inadequate food consumption, inequitable food distribution, improper infant and child feeding and care practices, said notable speakers at the dissemination meeting organised by Save the Children foundation here on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering, UNICEF Jharkhand chief Job Zachariah said, “About 45 per cent children in the State die every year because of malnutrition. Unfortunately, this is never seen as a central issue. Jharkhand must have a strong mission supported by Government as well as nongovernmental organisations to solve the pitiable condition of malnutrition in the State, just like the one in Maharashtra were malnutrition rates have drastically decreased."
The action agenda for nutrition security in India was also released at the State-level meeting. It is a consensus document prepared by a group of experts in nutrition, spearheaded by coalition for food and nutrition security.
"It is the minimum duty of every State Government to properly train officials who are in charge of women and children care. The number of Anganwadi centres and the number of schools in the State must be equal." said Balram, Advisor to Commissioner of Supreme Court in Jharkhand.
The coalition comprises members who are experts in their respective fields and have united in an effort to improve nutrition security. They reviewed the current evidence and approaches to achieve nutrition security in Indian and updated the document titled “sustainable nutrition security in India: A leadership agenda for action”.
Areas of action such as nutritional security of children under two years of age, pregnant women and adolescent girls, financial assistance to them and ensure equitable access to food security, including dietary diversity, primary health care, safe drinking water, environmental and household sanitation and address gender issues pertaining to women’s education were also discussed in the meeting.
The details of Save the Children led - Karuna project, were given by the project manager Deepa. Under this initiative, problems of malnutrition, women and child development, adolescent and maternal health, immunization and care and maintenance of Anganwadi centres have been effectively solved. The Gumla model of the project, launched in 2012 has been successful.
Dr. laxmikant Palo, Senior Advisor of Nutrition at Save the Children, said, “In order to compliment the goals of Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security in India, the recommendations will be taken forward from this report and will be implemented at state levels by Save the Children”.
The event concluded with an open session of discussion between the audience members from various organizations and the guest speakers on ways to eradicate malnutrition.