Over 30% of children in Bangalore slums are underweight

The children do not fare any better with respect to the other indicators of malnutrition, with over 52% found to be stunted. The percentage of children found to be suffering from wasting stands at around 19%, showing no great improvement from the NFHS figure of 17% in 2005-06, the study read.

 

Nutrition and immunization are most critical for a child’s survival in the first six years of his life. Immunization coverage in the slums in Bangalore has improved with 75% of the children having received atleast some form the recommended dosage of immunization.  These children dwelling in the most underprivileged sections of the city, most of them belonging to migrant families bear the maximum impact of urban poverty; especially in the absence of caregivers, who are mostly engaged in informal economic roles.

 

This study on early childhood was conducted in slums across five major metropolitans in India namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata. None of the five metros shows any positive trend with respect to child nutrition. 50% of the children in the slums of Delhi were underweight while Chennai has the most number of children battling malnutrition in its slums, with 62.2 % being underweight; Kolkata and Mumbai slums have 49% and 41 % underweight children, as per this study. About 43 % children across all the metros were not fully vaccinated.

 

Even as Aanganwadi Centres (AWCs) remain one of the most important institutions for ensuring nutrition, health and early education of children below 6 years, only 47% children dwelling in slums are enrolled. The national capital too had similar figures as far as enrollment of slum children in Anganwadis was concerned. The ICDS scheme also provides for health services including de-worming, IFA (Iron tablets) and Vitamin A dosage. More than a third of the children in the 5 cities surveyed had not been de-wormed. In Bangalore, close to half of the children did not receive the Vitamin A, IFA supplements and close to 48% of the children had not been de-wormed.

 

However, what is significant to note is that the number of children receiving health services in Aanganwadis is higher than those enrolled in other institutions or private pre schools. 73 % children enrolled in Aanganwadis receive the Vitamin A dose compared to only 52 % in private preschools. 

 

This is a clear indication that while the Aanganwadi worker is providing for the services, within the institution, the community outreach still remains a challenge. Another indicator that substantiates the gap between the service and the community, the study states that in Bangalore around 37% of the parents were provided with growth monitoring information details regularly. While there is an evident need for improvement, the study shows significant positive perception of parents towards Aanganwadi centres. 94% of parents feel safe in sending their child to AWCs and 88% perceive the Aanganwadi to be child friendly.

 

Suma Ravi, Regional Director (South), CRY said, “If we as a nation do not prioritize investment in rights of children below six years of age, the consequences would be manifested not just in his childhood but will pose an impediment in adult life.  An India, without a healthy start for its children will never be able to realize its full human potential.”

 

The study forms a part of “Healthy Start’ initiative by CRY, which is focused on the importance of ensuring children in the age group of 0-6 receive essential care, nutrition and education. Within the ambit of Healthy Start, CRY has launched ‘Get Healthy Give Healthy’ campaign which is about encouraging people to raise funds for a healthy start for young children, while working towards a personal health goal.

 

 

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