Malnutrition among young children

Malnutrition has now been in the news. Almost everyday. Its because of the intervention of the Karnataka High Court on the issue. Within 15th May, state government has to submit its report and action plan to eradicate malnutrition. This order was made on the backdrop of a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by High Court. HC has formed three committees also to look into the whole malnutrition issue. The issue got highlighted recently when TV9 telecast deaths of about 4000 odd children in Raichur district, followed by the corruption in ICDS section of Dept of Women and Child Development (DWCD). Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director and some other officials of DWCD, Bangalore have been suspended after a Lokayukta raid on their houses and offices.

There was a discussion in SCM House, Mission Road in Bangalore this morning. Mathews of SICHREM, Mariswamy of SPJ, Dr Asha, Sudha of Right to Food Campaign, Saroja of Chiguru, Dr Padmini and Nagasimha of CRT and others were present. The meeting was called to formulate an action plan on combating malnutrition among children, which will be submitted to the committees appointed by HC.

Malnutrition is a byproduct of poverty. It is a violation of human rights. Malnutrition is a diability too, as someone in the meeting put it. It is rampant among children in the age group of 3-6 years. Anganwadi centres have been set up in villages by the government under ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) to combat malnutrition among these children. It is also meant for pre-natal and post natal purposes. However, a large level of corruption from the top to the bottom has been underway. Its a known secret. But Lokayukta proved it to be true.

I made a suggestion to strengthen the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in the district to conduct surprise visits in anganwadi centres, file FIR if anyone found guilty, and catch hold of the officials responsible. Since CWC is the supreme body in the district to look after care and protection of children under 18 years, it would be an effective strategy to strenghthen it. Right now, CWCs are unaware of their powers and functions. They are made to act as servants of DWCD. CWC, a first class magisterial body, has been reduced to be subordinate body of District WCD. So sad and pathetic situation. This is how the DWCD has weakened the child care mechanism. If CWC is strong in the district, all child care services would be effectively monitored. CWCs need training in legal aspects and support from organisations to function effectively. However, all the NGOs blame CWCs as toothless body. Not only CWCs, but the NGOs and activists too do not know about the powers of CWCs. Thats where the problem lies!

Since ICDS fund meant for poor vulnerable children and rural women folk is shared by the officials on a regular basis, public accountability has to be in place. Now, other than the dept heads, none knows how much is allotted and spent. Who decides on spending it? No idea among us. Therefore, A public accounts committee has to be formed at the taluk level to monitor the ICDS fund utilisation, chaired by a First Class Judicial Magistrate. Each penny has to be accounted and audited. By doing this, we can ensure that the penny allotted is spent for the child. In the committee, CWC and Bala Vikasa Samithi (BVS) should have representation.

Simultaneously, convergence of all departments has to be in place. There are various schemes and programs in each department. However, the departments never meet together to do something common on children. It is like five horses drag the chariot to their own direction and end up nowhere. HC has to issue directions to the government now to initiate convergence as a policy to implement the schemes.

Formation of a District ICDS Monitoring Committee involving various networks and NGOs in the district is not a bad suggestion. But, why do we need another network when already there are many committees? What we need to do is to strengthen the existing bodies and make them work.

Dr Asha said the all of a sudden, you cannot give lot of nutrition with eggs and milk or something else. Child's body cannot absorb it in its body. What is needed is immediate treatment, may be hospitalisation. Gradually the child will be able to eat something. But, moderate children can be given nutritional stuff now and prevent them turning into severely malnourished.

It is also very atrocious to know that government spends Rs.4 per child a day! Is this sufficient to keep a child nutritious? Govt of Tamil Nadu spends Rs.12 a day. It gives meal to the child. Out of Rs.4, how much actually reaches the child, after licked and eaten up by officers?

An old woman in Raichur cursed the department when she came to know about the corruption in ICDS: makkala duddu thakkondavaru narakakke hoguthare! (Those who poached children's money will end up in hell only.)