Andhra Pradesh is moving ahead with a multi-pronged approach to end malnutrition in the state. Worried with the recent statistics revealing highest rates of infant mortality and child malnourishment in the state, the state government has planned to establish 30 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) in the state.

The recently published united nations children’s fund report ‘The state of the world’s children' says that of every 100 children born in the state, five die before first birthday, 30 are underweight, 62 live without adequate sanitation and 32 are not getting immunization.

“AP especially has the highest number of infant mortality and malnourishment. It stems from the fact that we have failed to implement most of the mandatory points of child care though adequate measures are well within reach. The primary issue is that breastfeeding is still not ensured to about 70 per cent of children. Bottle feeding not only is responsible for malnourishment, but also is the reason for spreading of infections,” said Dr P Sudharakar Reddy former superintendent and head of the institute of Child Health at Niloufer Hospital for women and children.

The tribal areas are some of the worst affected parts in the state. A large number of SAM (Severely Acute Malnourishment) cases have been registered in the tribal regions. In view of this, the state government had decided to set up 30 NRCs, out of which 23 NRCs are planned with a capacity of 20 beds in the government hospitals of each district and seven NRCs with a bed capacity of 10 are planned in the severely affected remote tribal areas of Paderu, Visakhapatnam, Rampachowdavaram, East Godavari, Bhadrachalam, Khammam, Utnoor, Adilabad in the state.

The UNICEF report said the institutional mechanism for delivering nutrition to children must be strengthened and poor families need to be empowered. Not breastfeeding, poor hygiene and negligence in getting children vaccinated, which threatened the health of children, occur because women are not sufficiently empowered.

“A budget of Rs.230 lakhs has been released by the government to APMSIDC for renovation of NRCs and procurement of equipment. So far, four paediatricians have undergone TOT and 16 Medical Officers have been trained for this purpose,” said Praveen Prakash, commissioner, health and family welfare.