[Reader-list] RTF (Right to Food) Articles - 16

[Rakesh Iyer]

Source: The Hindu

Date: Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007

Link: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/08/15/stories/2007081561461000.htm

Article:

*Meeting calls for nutrition strategy *

 Staff Reporter

 * “It should focus on children aged below two, especially in marginalised
groups” *

CHENNAI: Even 60 years after independence, health surveys indicate that
malnutrition in the country remains “critical.”

According to the third National Family Health Survey, 46 per cent of
children aged below three are undernourished, while 79 per cent in this age
group as well as 70 per cent of pregnant women are anaemic.

To come up with new strategies to deal with the widespread problem of
malnutrition, representatives of the Union Government, several State
governments, the United Nations and non-governmental organisations came
together at a national conclave here on Tuesday.

Among the recommendations made by the group are the formulation of a
national strategy on nutrition that will focus on children under the age of
two, especially in the marginalised groups, greater emphasis on nutrition
education and awareness, more focus on the urban poor through mapping of
slum clusters and improved evaluation of the existing nutrition programmes.
 Health awareness

 Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna said the Government would
focus on improving the health awareness of pregnant women in particular, to
significantly enhance the nutritional status of children under the age of
three. “The best time to educate a mother about the importance of nutrition
is when a woman is pregnant,” Dr. Poongothai said.

“Studies suggest growth retardation of children starts during pregnancy and
nearly 30 per cent of the babies are born underweight. By the time they are
two years old, most life-time growth retardation has taken place, and this
is largely irreversible.”

She highlighted the need for informing pregnant mothers that breast feeding
could protect babies from infectious diseases, while “simple” folic acid
tablets could ensure proper brain development.

M.S. Swaminathan, agricultural scientist and chairman, M.S. Swaminathan
Research Foundation, emphasised the need for “synergy” among public policy,
healthcare, education and sanitation to bring about a significant
improvement in nutrition levels.

“Nutrition is the first among a human being’s needs,” he said. “The right to
food is a fundamental right. Nutritional awareness and literacy are
extremely important in this country.”

Around 100 participants from 50 different groups participated in the
three-day national discussion, which the foundation organised along with the
Indian Council of Medical Research, the Ministries of Health and Family
Welfare and Woman and Child Development and the United States Agency for
International Development.