Karnataka has over 47,000 severely malnourished children: Govt

Karnataka has more than 47,000 severely malnourished children, according to government figures. As per the information made available by Women and Child Development Minister Umashree today, Belgaum district tops the list with 4896, followed by Raichur 4596 and Bellary 3613 in June of the total 47,101. Hassan has the least at 301 among the 0-6 age category. The number of moderately malnourished children is much higher at more than 10.86 lakh or 27.42 per cent of the more than 39.63 lakh kids weighed in 30 districts of the State which has a total population of more than six crore. The Minister held a meeting today with senior officials of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Departments of Health and Family Welfare, Primary and Secondary Education and Food and Civil Supplies, Bangalore Medical College, Slum Development Board and voluntary organisations to discuss measures to fight malnourishment among children and improving infrastructure of Anganwadi kendras within BBMP limits. Currently, the number of Anganawadi kendras in localities coming under BBMP and extension areas is 2097, and the Government has sent a proposal to the Centre to open additional 242 in BBMP areas. Umashree said 40 temporary Anganawadi kendras would be opened on an urgent basis in D J Halli here, which has a large number of malnourished children, adding, steps would be taken to distribute BPL ration cards to families of severely malnourished children. The death of severely malnourished and physically challenged six-year-old Meghala in D J Halli last month has brought the issues surrounding underweight kids into sharp focus.   PTI