Question : Malnutrition among Women and Children

(a) the number of malnourished, underweight women and stunted children in the country, particularly in tribal areas and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether incidents of deaths from malnutrition have also been reported in the country in recent years, particularly from Maharashtra and the Hon''ble Supreme Court has made any observation in this regard, if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) the details of schemes including National Nutrition Mission (NNM) being implemented for eradication of malnutrition along with the funds allocated/released, utilized and achievements made thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, scheme and State/UT-wise;
(d) whether the Government has made any impact assessment of schemes in improving the nutritional status of women and children, if so, the details and outcome thereof;
(e) whether the Government plans to collaborate with UNICEF or other stakeholders/NGOs to improve the nutritional scenario in the country and has received any proposal from the private sector in eradication of malnutrition and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the further measures taken by the Government to supplement the deficiency of nutrients, keeping watch on the health of malnourished women and children and to eradicate malnutrition from the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) As per National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-06), 53.9% under five children belonging to Scheduled Tribes are stunted. The state-wise details including for ST population as per NFHS-3 are at Annexure-1. Further, as per the NFHS-3, 46.6% women in the age group of 15 to 49 years belonging to Scheduled Tribes suffer from chronic energy deficiency. The state-wise details including for ST population are at Annexure-2. The causes of undernutrition in women and children are inadequate access to food, health services, safe drinking water, sanitation and environmental conditions, educational levels, income and socio-cultural factors like early marriage, etc. The situation is further compounded by ignorance about nutritional needs of infants and young children and repeated infections.

(b) Malnutrition is a multi-faceted problem and is not a direct cause of death but contributes to mortality and morbidity by reducing resistance to infections.

As per information received from State Government of Maharashtra, Hon’ble Supreme Court has not made any observation on malnutrition in Maharashtra State.

(c) This Ministry is implementing Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and Matritva Benefit Programme as direct targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition among women and children. The funds allocated/released utilized and achievements made under the schemes during the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-3, 4 and 5. National Nutrition Mission when implemented will focus on measures to reduce levels of malnutrition.
(d) The impact assessment of ICDS scheme is indicated through the data captured by country-wide surveys conducted by NFHS, MoHFW, As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 (2005-06) 42.5% children under 5 years of age are underweight and 48% are stunted. The present available data from latest round of National Family Health Survey – 4 (2015-16), indicates a declining trend.

(e) The ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme aiming at reduction in the level of malnutrition of beneficiaries covered under the scheme. UNICEF is an International organization providing technical inputs/manpower to this Ministry. There is no proposal to collaborate with the private sector in eradication of malnutrition.

(f) Under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme of the Ministry, there is a provision to provide nutritious food to children, pregnant women & lactating mothers in the form of Morning Snacks, Hot Cooked Meals and Take Home Ration (THR). Further, Under the National Health Mission implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, micronutrient supplements are provided to different population groups to supplement the deficiency of nutrients. Iron Folic acid supplements are provided to 0-59 months children, 5-10 years children, adolescent, pregnant and lactating women, calcium supplementation to pregnant and lactating mothers, vitamin-A supplements to children aged 6-59 months, along with promotion and use of iodised salt through ASHA workers.

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