Malnutrition high among Mumbai's slum-dwellers
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Maharashtra’s State Human Rights Commission is investigating cases of alleged malnutrition among Mumbai’s slum children. Civil society organisations claim that, so far, around 200 children below the age of five have been admitted to hospital with symptoms of malnutrition. And the number could rise.
The public distribution system is definitely failing Mumbai’s slum-dwellers, and drinking water supply too is unreliable, says Maharashtra’s State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) that is investigating reported cases of malnutrition among slum children in India’s financial capital. Meanwhile, the government of Maharashtra denies that malnutrition is the cause of ill health among slum children. An SHRC team recently visited the Chamunda Nagar, Bhavani Nagar and Sham Nagar slums in Bhandup, a Mumbai suburb, where seven children with symptoms of malnutrition were admitted to hospital in the second week of June. The report is expected in a week. “We went to check the availability of basic amenities in the three areas. The main problem seems to be the ration shops,” says SHRC secretary Amitabh Chandra. “It seems the ration shops picked up the grain but did not distribute it. We have asked the controller of rations to inquire into the matter.” In the complaint, the health committee and Somaiya had raised concerns about the government’s failure to provide food to slum-dwellers, despite the fact that they had valid ration cards. It stated that fair price, or ration shops (that are supposed to provide subsidised foodgrain to poor families) in Bhandup had failed to distribute the designated supplies to local slum-dwellers. The letter also alleged that Maharashtra’s food and civil supplies, social welfare and health departments, the Mumbai suburban district collector and the civic administration “had failed to protect and take care of these children and their families”. Regarding the supply of drinking water to slum-dwellers, the SHRC found that while the Sham Nagar and Bhavani Nagar slums had water connections, Chamunda Nagar did not even have a tap point. The SHRC is now also investigating health and hygiene conditions in the area. “We were told that about 150 children were inspected yesterday. They have colds and coughs, but there does not seem to be any malnutrition,” said Chandra. Meanwhile, Somaiya appreciated the SHRC’s prompt action. “I think it’s a good start,” he said. “They noted that the public distribution system may be malfunctioning, and they are going to continue the survey for 10 days. They are also inviting information from the public, so they’ll surely get to the root of this.” Following these discoveries, the BMC conducted health camps in the four areas and inspected all the children. “Today we inspected almost 53 children in the area and we are satisfied as far as the status of their health is concerned,” said Mange. So far, around 200 children below the age of five have been admitted to hospital with symptoms of malnutrition, and voluntary groups say this number could rise. According to preliminary estimates by CSOs, more than 5,000 children from the slums of Bhandup could be undernourished or suffering from malnutrition. These children belong to over 15,000 families that are deprived of regular supplies of foodgrain, medical facilities and potable drinking water. But the government appears to be blind to the warning signs. Despite all the evidence, Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Harshvardhan Patil, claims there is no malnutrition in Mumbai but admits that children exhibiting Grade II and III -- a measure indicating moderate malnourishment -- nourishment levels have been detected. Grade IV indicates severe malnutrition. Source:InfoChange |
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