The NDA Government has set definite goals for itself to fight malnutrition, anaemia and declining child sex ratios across India. Woman and Child Development Ministry has laid down several targets to bring down the extent of health problems like ailing women and children, which comprise about 70 per cent of country’s population.
The Ministry is hoping to bring down malnutrition from the current 50 per cent to 30 per cent, with its focus on under-nutrition, which is about 40 per cent currently. The Ministry also hopes to arrest and reverse anaemia (iron deficiency in women) from the current 55 per cent down to about 28 per cent. The WCD Ministry also aims to boost CSR by increasing it from the current 918 girls per 1,000 boys to 930-935 per 1,000.
“Work is underway to establish a national mission to address malnutrition in the country. It is a grave area of concern and needs focused attention,” said Maneka Gandhi, WCD Minister.
“Since 1961, even our child sex ratio (0-6 years-girls/ 1,000 boys) has been on a constant decline. More recent data shows a more pronounced decline with 927 per 1,000 boys in 2001 to 918 in 2011,” she said.
Elaborating on the Government’s plan, Vinay Sheel Oberoi, secretary WCD said, “We have identified 100 critical districts across India where we will take up advocacy and awareness programme to combat declining child sex ratios.”
“The Health Ministry and Rural Development Ministry will partner with us to ensure more efficient functioning of PCPNDT Act (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994 enacted to stop female foeticide), increasing hospital deliveries and registering conceptions in the first trimester and births,” he said.
The WCD Ministry is also in talks with the HRD Ministry to train and educate girl children across schools in health, sex and nutrition education. “We want to take classes at least 2-3 times a week post school hours to educate girl children on critical issues of managing life and health,” said Gandhi.