(a) whether mortality rate among the tribal infants due to malnutrition is extremely high in the country particularly in Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT- wise particularly in the tribal areas of Kerala; and
(c) the various relief packages that have been announced by the Union Government to help such States including Kerala in the matter?
MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM)
(a): No, Madam.
(b): In view of (a) above, the question does not arise.
(c): As per the information provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, malnutrition is not a direct cause of child deaths, hence no relief package as such has been announced. However, malnutrition is the underlying cause of around 34 percent under-five child deaths in the country according to Child Health Epidemiological Reference Group (2010). Under National Health Mission, various interventions to address under-nutrition like Iron folic acid supplementation, Vitamin A supplementation, promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices and capacity building of healthcare providers and establishing Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) is also carried out all over the country including tribal areas.