Over 5000 thousand children suffering from malnutrition in Nabarangpur

Champa Jani, a resident of Janaki Nagar under Nandahandi block in Nabarangpur district, has been under severe mental stress after she gave birth to a baby boy, weighing just 900 grams. 

Her son with thin arms and legs, and ribcage pushing against the skin is presently undergoing treatment in the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) of the Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). 

Shockingly enough, Champa is not alone in her predicament. There are several others who are treating their babies in the NRC. While a two-and-a-half-year-old child is just seven kilograms, the weight of another child aged about three years has been 11 kilograms for the last one year. 

Speaking about her son’s health condition, Champa said, “My son’s weight was only 900 grams. His weight has increased after treatment at the NRC.”

“My baby had low birth weight. It was not eating properly. As per people’s advice, I admitted it to the NRC,” said Sarojini Bhatara, a resident of Chhelipadar. 

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The scenes in the wards of the NRC are speaking volumes of the situation of how the district is under the grip of severe malnutrition. 

As per the information available, over five thousand children are battling against malnutrition in Nabarangpur district. 

As many as 681 children suffered from malnutrition by October last of this year. Of them, 444 children aged between six months and three years and 237 children aged between three years and five years are suffering from acute malnutrition. 

Similarly, the number of children with low weight is 5,512. Of them, 2,803 are aged between six months and three years and 2,709 are aged between three years and six years, fast turning Nabarangpur the second Nagada. 

It is alleged that poverty and lack of awareness have aggravated the situation. 

It is also alleged that the chhatua and eggs provided by the government don't reach the beneficiaries in right time at most places.

"The didi is not giving us chhatua and eggs. Had we received the food in right time, our child would have been in a better condition," said Damayanti Nayak, a resident of Sirliguda.

When asked, Nabarangpur additional medical officer Malay Tripathy ascribed the situation to lack of awareness among mothers. He also informed that a total of 478 children suffering from malnutrition have received treatment at the NRCs at Umerkote and Nabarangpur.

On the other hand, district social welfare officer Droupadi Kanhar said, "Our efforts are on to avoid Nagada-like situation in Nabarangpur."