Acute Mal-Nourishment in Kids Living in Delhi's Slums

The Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare have set up 11 operational Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres,to address under-nutrition in children.
A report by an organisation Child Rights and You (CRY) and its State partner Alliance for People’s Rights stated that acute mal-nourishment is faced by those living in Delhi’s urban slums as they don’t avail the services provided by Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres.
According to the survey, in Anganwadi centres the quality of service is hampered due to
- poor infrastructural facilities,
- shortage of space, difficulty in approaching the place, and
- poor ventilation.
In 5 districts children (0-5 yrs) were surveyed (South-West, West, North West, North East and North).
The health of Children (newborns and infants) living in urban slums depends on
- availability of mother to breastfeed,
- nutritious meals provided to mother,
- public healthcare services,
- community support.
The government’s mechanism needs to be strengthened and ensure access to curb the growing menace of malnutrition.
To resolve children problems (including early marriage and gender discrimination) measures like:
- community awareness,
- socio-cultural practices,
- exclusive breastfeeding should be encouraged.

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