The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) decided to constitute a ‘Health and Nutrition’ division within the commission to ensure accessibility, availability, and adequacy of health and nutrition to every child in the city.
The division of the DCPCR will ensure adequate steps that shall be taken to monitor, review and take action on the implementation of mid-day meal scheme in schools, provision of supplements for children (0-6 years), and provision of supplements for pregnant and lactating mothers under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), neonatal care and screening in hospitals and immunization of children, the government said in a statement.
The new division will also oversee the functioning of Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres in public hospitals. It will also inspect and take necessary actions for better health & hygiene of adolescent girls and the right to play for children. The Commission shall also organize public awareness campaigns, dialogues & discussions and conduct research studies on the mentioned subjects.
The crucial decision comes in the light of the data published by CRY in 2013, which states the percentage of children and women in Delhi, in need of nutrition and food.
As per “Nutritional Status of Children in Delhi: A Reality Check” published in 2013 by CRY, an NGO working on child rights, 36 per cent of the children were found to be malnourished; out of which, 33 per cent of children were in Severely Acute Malnutrition (SAM) category.
“Overall, malnutrition amongst girls (38 per cent was higher than the boys (34%); It was also discovered that most of the undernourished children were either not exclusively breastfed, or less breastfed or were initiated supplementary nutrition at a much later period. Combating malnutrition and ensuring immunization of all children are some of the commissions' top priorities,” it said.
Terming the DCPCR’s decision historic, Rajendra Pal Gautam, Minister of Women and Child Development said, “Delhi's model of governance is being recognized worldwide. It is high time Delhi demonstrates that curbing child malnutrition and the infant mortality rate is possible through honest, transparent, and committed governance. Delhi's Ministry will make it possible within three years. I am glad that DCPCR has decided to prioritize it. This is a historic decision and I offer them my unconditional support,” he said.
Anurag Kundu, Chairperson, Delhi Commission For Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) said, “This was a long pending move and is needed to fulfill our commitment to the spirited implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
Upholding the spirit of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by India in 1992, DCPCR shall monitor the policies related to health, nutrition, diseases, neonatal care, pregnancy, and immunization in a more focused manner.