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Survey detects over 3,000 kids malnourished
The health department for the first time has conducted a door-to-door survey here to reach out to identify malnourished children.
The health department for the first time has conducted a door-to-door survey here to reach out to identify malnourished children.
Neeraj K Pawan, additional mission director of National Health Mission, told HT that a special drive was launched between December 16 and December 31, 2014 in which all accredited social health activists (ASHAs) were asked to identify malnourished children in their area by conducting a door-to-door survey.
“The results have been quite encouraging and many children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were identified in the state,” he said.
In a survey conducted between December 16 and January 7, 3,695 out of 10 lakh children were found to have SAM, Pawan said.
During the survey, health activists put measuring tape around the upper arm of the children aged 5-59 months to identify the malnourished children.
If the measurement is less than 115 mm, the tape will turn red, which indicates that the child is SAM.
Yellow colour for 115-125mm indicates moderate malnutrition, whereas the child is healthy if the measurement is over 125mm.
Pawan explained that SAM children fall under two categories: one who need medical attention and other who could be tackled at community level.
Children with acute malnutrition are referred to malnutrition treatment centres while those who need care at community level are provided supplementary food at Anganbari centres.
