As per the Rapid Survey of Children (2013-14), 29.4 per cent children below five years are underweight, 38.7 per cent are stunted and 15.1 per cent are wasted.
Malnutrition is not a direct cause of death among children but can increase morbidity and mortality by reducing the resistance to infections. However, it is estimated that malnutrition is a contributing factor in about one-third of all deaths in under- five children in India, as per CHERG (2010) Report.
The Government of India is implementing various schemes all across the country for reducing infant mortality on account of malnutrition:
i. Provision of Supplementary food to children aged 6-36 months under Integrated Child Development Project (ICDS).
ii. Promotion of Institutional deliveries through cash incentive under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense ante-natal check-ups, delivery including Caesarean section, post-natal care and treatment of sick infants till one year of age.
iii. Strengthening of delivery points for providing comprehensive and quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Services, ensuring essential newborn care at all delivery points, establishment of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSU) and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) units for care of sick and small babies. Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) is being provided by ASHAs to improve child rearing practices.
iv. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are promoted in convergence with Ministry of Women and Child Development. Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are observed for provision of maternal and child health services and creating awareness on maternal and child care including health and nutrition education.Government has recently launched “MAA” programme in order to increase awareness on breastfeeding and build capacities of the health workers on IYCF practices.
v. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is being supported to provide vaccination to children against many life threatening diseases such as Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Tuberculosis, Measles, Hepatitis B, Meningitis and Pneumonia due to Haemophilus Influenzae type B.
vi. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for health screening, early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays including disability and early intervention services has been operationalized to provide comprehensive care to all the children in the age group of 0-18 years in the community.
vii. Some other important interventions are Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation for the prevention of anaemia among the vulnerable age groups, Vitamin-A Supplementation for children 6 -59 months, home visits by ASHAs to promote exclusive breast feeding and promote use of ORS and Zinc for management of diarrhoea in children,
viii. Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres are established at Government Health facilities to manage severe acute malnutrition.
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