Bajura, March 9

Malnutrition, a condition that emerges due to nutrient deficiency in the human body, has been a major health problem among kids in Bajura, a district that ranks at the bottom in the poverty index.

According to information officer Ramchandra Yadav of District Health Office, Bajura, about 50 per cent kids in the district are suffering from malnutrition.

“As per the latest data, over 47 per cent kids are deprived of nutritious food and are thus suffering from malnutrition.

The number could be more than what our official records show,” said Yadav, adding that villages, including Sappata, Budhiganga, Jayabageshwori, Pandusen, Kolti, Rugin and Atichaur were prone to malnutrition.

“A whopping 80 per cent kids were found suffering from nutrition deficit in Sappata alone,” Yadav said, adding, “As a result, the kids there suffer from various health problems such as height/weight deficiency, and emaciation to name a few problems.”

The data was revealed through a survey carried out by Mother Project under Helen Keller International about a year ago.

DHO Family Planning supervisor Durga Bajgain attributed the condition to a number of factors, including lack of awareness among the public about nutritious foods, want of iodised salt, proper health care and sanitation, besides poor nutrition during pregnancy.

“As per the survey, 60 per cent of the kids in the district are deprived of zinc pills and jeevanjal, and hardly get to eat meat and eggs,” Bajgain informed.

Health volunteer Sita BK attributed the condition to poverty, lack of education and poor health situation of the local kids. She argued, presenting the data of 64 per cent population below the poverty line.