KATHMANDU, JUNE 4
Nearly one in every six children in Madhesh Province is suffering from malnutrition, according to a province-wide assessment conducted by the Health Directorate.
The survey, carried out in 133 of the province's 136 local levels, assessed 283,308 children and found that 35,883 were malnourished while 8,771 were identified as being in the early stages of malnutrition.
In total, 44,654 children, 15.76 percent of those surveyed, were found to be either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, a situation described as critical under World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav said malnutrition has emerged as a serious public health challenge in Madhesh, attributing the problem to poverty, lack of education, poor nutrition awareness, inadequate sanitation and unhealthy dietary practices.
Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population of Madhesh Province, Dr Pramod Yadav, said the high prevalence of malnutrition among children was a matter of grave concern and called for coordinated efforts to address the issue.
According to the survey, 233,182 children were found to have normal nutritional status. However, health officials warned that the current figures highlight the urgent need for targeted nutrition and awareness programmes across the province.