Reluctance to treatment forged Tribal Children to severe malnutrition

Kalppatta: According to the SAM records turned up during last month, most of the severely malnourished people in the district belong to tribal communities. 47 children are from tribal communities amongst the 60, who diagnosed with severe malnutrition. Even though there are 13 children from general category, the count from the former sees a scary surge. Since the inception of Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) at Sultan Batheri with an objective of treating children with under nutrition, it has been observed that most of the people seeking treatment are children from tribal communities. The records revealed the fact that they are still indifferent to further follow-ups too.

Even if they diagnosed malnutrition, they purposefully prefer undertreatment and that can be a serious issue in the offing. It is alleged that after admission, there is no continuity even if, necessary awareness is given about treatment and care. The highest ratio of those have re-admitted are also from tribal communities.

Hesitation towards Nectar Powder too Failure to follow a balanced diet contemplates as one among the many missteps. As most of the tribal villages took a back off from ethnic food habits but not replaced them with balanced diets lead the way for added ailments.

With the non-availability of leafy vegetables, venison and forest products in the old way, even adults are crunched themselves between malnutrition and anaemia. Anaemia in adolescents and pregnant women, malnutrition, early pregnancy, and bad habits such as alcohol consumption by pregnant women contribute to low birth weight in children. The situation has seen a serious escalation as the malnourished child follows the same eating habits of the adults. Children often discouraged by their parents to eat even the amrit powder and grains brimmed with vitamins provided by Anganwadis.

Integrated intervention is mandatory

The health workers demand that there should be an intervention that accepts people and their food habits as a dietary diversity. There should be an integrated intervention of others like Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Health Department and ICDS. If necessary, social workers from tribal communities can also be used. Continuous and comprehensive intervention is the mandatory requirement at this time

This article was first published in Mathrubhumi on September 01, 2022.