Question : Anaemic Children and Malnourishment

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether more than 50 per cent of children in 10 States are anaemic as per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS);

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the percentage of anaemic children reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the said survey has also highlighted the problem of malnourishment prevalent among the people of the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof indicating the cases of malnourishment reported during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to tide over the challenges posed by malnourishment?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 58* FOR 26TH FEBRUARY, 2016

(a) & (b): Yes.

As per the latest National Family Health Survey- 4 (NFHS-4), conducted during 2015-16, information is available for 15 States/UTs till date. Out of these 15 States and UTs, 10 States have more than 50% children aged 6 to 59 months anaemic. However in all these 10 States, there has been reduction in prevalence of anaemia in children in NFHS-4 (2015-16) compared to NFHS-3 (2005-06).

The details on anaemia prevalence in children of 6 to 59 months age group for the 15 States/UTs are given in Annexure 1.

(c) & (d): Yes.

NFHS-4 also provides information on prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in under-five children as well as prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity as per BMI in adult men and women (15-49 years). Most of these States have shown reduction in prevalence of stunting and underweight, when compared with NFHS 3. However, only 5 States have shown reduction in prevalence of wasting.

The details of under-nutrition in children and malnourishment in adults as per NFHS-4 for 15 States/UTs are given in Annexure 2 & 3 respectively.

(e) The steps taken by the Government to tide over the challenges posed by malnourishment are as follows:
1. Promotion of appropriate infant and young child feeding practices that include early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months of age.
2. Treatment of sick children with severe acute malnutrition at special units called the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs), set up at public health facilities. Presently 934 such centres are functional.
3. Micronutrient supplementation such as Vitamin A and Iron Folic Acid for children from 6 months to 5 years.
4. Village Health and Nutrition Days and Mother and Child Protection Card are the joint initiative of the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Woman and Child Development for addressing the nutrition concerns in children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Monthly Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) are monthly days held at village level in Anganwadi centre to increase the awareness and bring about desired changes in the dietary practices including the promotion of breastfeeding.

5. Promotion for intake of iodised salt and monitoring salt quality through testing under National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme.

6. The Universal Immunisation Programme includes vaccines such as Pentavalent, Measles and BCG that protect children against life threatening diseases.

7. Management of malnutrition and common neonatal and childhood illnesses at community and facility level by training service providers in IMNCI (Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses) training.
8. Under Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, Supplementary Nutrition is provided to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Average Dietary Intake (ADI).