Malnutrition in India is a worry in a modern scenario

Good nutrition has the power to empower present and future generations. India’s greatest national treasure is its people, especially women and children, but even after 75 years of independence, most of them do not get the diet to meet their nutritional needs. The nutritional status of a child is directly related to its mother. Poor nutrition among pregnant women affects the nutritional status of the child and is more likely to affect future generations. Malnourished children are at risk of underachieving in school and have limited job prospects. This vicious circle slows down the development of the country, whose workforce, mentally and physically affected, has reduced work capacity.

marginal improvement

While there has been some progress in fighting malnutrition among children and women over the past decade, the improvement has been modest at best. This is despite declining poverty rates, increasing self-sufficiency in food production, and the implementation of a variety of government programs. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) has shown marginal improvement in different nutrition indicators, indicating that the pace of progress is slow. Children in several states are more malnourished now than they were five years ago.

Growth retardation, wasting, anemia

While there was some reduction in stunting rates (35.5% from 38.4% in NFHS-4), 13 states or union territories have seen an increase in stunted children from NFHS -4; this includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Kerala. (Failure to thrive is defined as short height for age.) Malnutrition trends in NFHS surveys show that wasting, the most visible and life-threatening form of malnutrition, has increased or remained stagnant over the years (wasting is defined as the under weight). -for-height).

India also has the highest prevalence of anemia in the world (anemia is defined as the condition where the number of red blood cells or the concentration of hemoglobin in them is lower than normal). The NFHS-5 survey indicates that more than 57% of women (15-49 years) and more than 67% of children (6-59 months) suffer from anemia. My home state, Assam, is among the low-performing states, with a huge burden of anemic cases: 66.4% of women (15-49 years) and 68.4% of children (6-59 years). months) are affected. It is imperative to reflect on these problems, which remain persistent, widespread and serious. Anemia has important consequences in terms of health and human development: it reduces people’s ability to work, which in turn affects the economy and national growth in general. Developing countries lose up to 4.05% of GDP per year due to iron deficiency anemia; India loses up to 1.18% of GDP annually.

Step up funding

There is now a greater need to increase investment in the health and nutrition of women and children to ensure their sustainable development and better quality of life. While the Government’s focus has been on consolidating various programs to improve outcomes, there is a need for further financial commitment. Experts have noted that Saksham Anganwadi and the Prime Minister’s Comprehensive Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) 2.0 program have seen only a marginal increase in budget allocation this year (Rs 20,263 crore from Rs 20,105 crore in 2021 -22). Furthermore, 32% of the funds released under POSHAN Abhiyaan to the States and Union Territories have not been used.

Monitor constituencies too

India must adopt a results-oriented approach in nutrition programs. It is crucial that parliamentarians start to monitor the needs and interventions in their constituencies and raise awareness of the issues, impact and solutions to address challenges at the local level. There needs to be direct engagement with nutritionally vulnerable groups (this includes the elderly, pregnant women, people with special needs and young children) and help ensure delivery of key nutrition services and interventions in the last stretch. This will ensure, on the one hand, increased awareness and, on the other, proper planning and implementation of programs at the grassroots level, which can then be replicated at the district and national levels.

With basic education and general awareness, each individual is informed, takes initiative on a personal level, and can become an agent of change. Several studies highlight a strong link between the education of mothers and better access to and adherence to nutritional interventions among children. We must ensure that our young population has a competitive advantage; nutrition and health are central to that outcome.

other steps

I strongly believe that there needs to be a process to monitor and evaluate programs and address systemic and on-the-ground challenges. As a policymaker, I recommend that a new or existing committee or relevant standing committees meet and deliberate on effective policy decisions, oversee implementation of schemes, and review nutritional status in all states. The country’s response to malnutrition and its growing burden of anemia must be practical and innovative. This is critical to making India free from malnutrition and anemia a reality, not just an aspiration. Each one is an actor and must contribute to ending malnutrition and anemia. We must not become part of a preventable tragedy.

Gaurav Gogoi is a Member of Parliament (Congress party) for Kaliabor, Assam