What is this hungama on ‘HUNGaMA’ report?

The recent reports on ugly state of malnutrition in India by World Bank and Naandi Foundation (HUNGaMA – Hunger and Malnutrition report) have drawn criticism from all corners of the society, with civil society and media at the forefront. Such is the gravity of the issue that even our honourable PM Mr. Manmohan Singh could not shy away from acknowledging the scenario to be a ‘National Shame’.

Let’s have a sneak peek into some of the key findings as mentioned in World Bank and HUNGaMA reports.

• The prevalence of underweight children in India is 47%(WB report) and 42%(HUNGaMA report).
• The prevalence is worse than in sub-saharan and neighbouring south asian countries including Pakistan.
• There are significant inequalities across various socio-economic, demographic groups and across geographic regions: Rural vs Urban (50% vs 38%), Girls vs Boys (49% vs 46%), SCs:STs:Other castes (53%:56%:44%).
• 5 states and 50% of the villages constitute for 80% of the malnutrition cases.
• The programmes like ICDS(Integrated Child Development Scheme), which is considered to be largest child development programme in the world has not been targeting children below 3yrs of age.

These studies also highlight the potential long term consequences affecting overall socio-economic development and inclusive growth. Malnutrition in childhood leads to greater morbidity and mortality, reduced capability of learning, reduced labour productivity and subsequently reduced economic growth and increased poverty. In a way this endures the vicious cycle of poverty which is one of the causes and also an effect of malnutrition.

There is a need for a concerted effort from various stakeholders viz: Government, Civil society organizations and Parents in following areas:

• More emphasis should be laid on increasing the quality of implementation of existing schemes rather than just increasing the no. of schemes which are predominantly driven by political populism.
• The focus should be more on family based feeding and caring behaviour rather than distributing food.
• Greater emphasis should be laid on breast feeding in first 6 months: the primary source of colostrum which has lasting impact on the health and growth of an individual throughout the life.
• Involving communities and citizen groups in increasing awareness, implementation and monitoring of ICDS.
• Bringing in more resources to anganwadi centres targeting both children and adolescent women.
• Discouraging the practise of early marriage of adolescent girls (which though illegal is still being practised) which affects not only personal health but also that of newborns. Measures should also be taken to mitigate the prevalence of Anaemia which is as high as 60% among adolescent women.
• Priority should be on dissemination of funds which are targeted and directed towards more vulnerable groups (children below 3 yrs and adolescent women) and villages with high prevalence.
• Monitoring and evaluation though timely collection of relevant and high quality info which further leads to greater accountability and performance.

Acknowledging the gravity of the issue some of the steps on above areas have been initiated by organizations like Naandi Foundation and the recently formed Citizen’s alliance against malnutrition (spearheaded by parliamentarian Baijayant Panda). Also, it’s encouraging to see a responsible role played by celebrities like Amir Khan, Rahul Bose and Prasoon Joshi in increasing the awareness among masses through various campaigns. It is high time that all the citizens acknowledge the grave reality and play their part in ensuring a healthy and better future for our children and Nation.