53% Children Anaemic In Himachal

Y.S. Rana

The writer is a Hamirpur based Himachali settled in Chandigarh

The National Family Health Survey carried in 2015-16 covered six lakh households across the country. It pointed out that around 38% of children were stunted and 36% underweight.

In a stark and chilling reminder of realities of life to the Himachal government, the National Family Health Survey report results show that over 50% children below five years of age group are anaemic in the state. It means they suffer from insufficient haemoglobin in the blood leaving them exhausted, vulnerable to infections and affecting their brain development. In addition, nearly 50% women are anaemic and one in every five is underweight in Himachal. More than three decades after its launch, the country’s flagship scheme for nutritional and developmental needs of children has failed in making a difference to child welfare, indicates the National Family Health Survey (2015-16) report. It also warns that majority of the women and children are suffering from iron deficiency across the country. There has not been much improvement in anaemic cases in eight states and Union Territories including Chandigarh. The country’s embarrassing performance is on key child development and health indicators especially child below five years. It states that still 58% children in the said age group are anaemic across the country.

The survey carried in 2015-16 covered six lakh households across the country. It pointed out that around 38% of children were stunted and 36% underweight. The study also states that affluent city like Chandigarh has the maximum number of anaemic children which accounts for 73% followed by Haryana with 72%, Punjab has 57% children anaemic and Himachal Pradesh has 53% children anaemic (deficiency in iron). It is also revealed in the report of Advance Paedetric Centre, PGI, that if a four-month-old infant is not started iron syrup, the child will not be attentive in study. For healthy mind, formation of red cells and proper working of muscles, iron is to play key role in the body, states the study. It was also found that 21% children of four months were found deficient in iron while 36% children of five months were found deficient in iron. Doctors at PGI said that along with mother’s milk, child should also be given iron supplement.

The WHO offers three recommendations for IYCF practices for children aged 6 to 23 months: continued breastfeeding or feeding with appropriate iron-rich foods if not breast-feeding.    Earlier, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has slammed the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) for being deficient on every parameter.

Experts in nutrition said that for starters, deficiencies begin right at the foundation of the Scheme- anganwari centres marred by bureaucratic red tape. More than 60% of the sampled day care centres do not have their own buildings, with a number of them working in dilapidated, crammed and sometimes even roofless buildings in the region. The World Health Organization (WHO) says high levels of these markers are clear indications of poor socio-economic conditions or suboptimal nutritional conditions across India.

Anaemic Kids In Below Five Years Age Group

Chandigarh    73%

Haryana         72%

Punjab            57%

Himachal-o-Meter

The state’s ups and downs this week

No Interviews For Class III, IV Posts

Shimla: The state government has finally provided relief to meritorious candidates by abolishing interview system for Class III and Class IV government jobs in all departments after May 31. The Department of Personnel has issued a notification in this regard in which it has been pointed that if the ongoing recruitment process, including written test and interview, is not complete by May 31, then there will be no interviews. The Cabinet had, in its last meeting, given the approval for doing away with interviews for Class III and IV posts. As per the notification, the written examination in case of Class III posts will be of 85 marks. In case of Class IV posts, the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying exams to be calculated out of 85 marks. It is after the recommendations of the Central Government that the Himachal Government has finally done away with this procedure where very often those having political links would manage to get full marks in interviews despite scoring very low in written test.

45 Killed In Nerwa Bus Accident

Nerwa: Forty five persons were killed in a major road accident near Chopal, when a private bus they were traveling in fell into Tons River, the largest tributary of Yamuna. The bus was on its way from Vikasnagar to Nerwa when the accident occurred. Two persons had providential escape as they jumped out of the ill-fated bus from Uttarakhand. The bus was on its way from Vikasnagar to Nerwa. Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Rohan Chand Thakur immediately rushed the spot after even as rescue and relief operation was led by Chopal Sub Divisional Magistrate along with locals, police and government medical teams. The exact cause of the accident was not immediately known. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who was in Delhi, directed for providing immediate treatment to the injured and relief to the next of the kins who survived. “Bus conductor is also among the survivors. Nearly 12 persons hailing from Himachal Pradesh were also identified,” said Thakur. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the family members of victims and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured.

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