Thousands of children found malnourished

At least 1,357 of 688,264 children up to the age of five years screened in three months in the district were found to be malnourished.

A committee formed to address malnutrition in Bahawalpur held a meeting to review the nutrition screening tests being conducted across the district.

Officers of several departments and the deputy commissioner also attended the meeting.

Nutrition screening tests of girls aging from 10 to 19 years were also conducted and 4,106 girls were found to be anaemic.

It was decided in the meeting that the district administration will intensify the efforts against malnutrition and a mafia involved in adulteration of food items in the entire district.

Briefing the district committee, health department officials revealed that immediate medical aid was provided to the boys and girls requiring it and the main reason for the situation was the link between poverty and malnutrition.

The participants decided to take immediate steps to expedite an operation against adulteration.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2021.