Malnutrition in Tharparkar kills 6 children

Death toll for past 49 days rises to 89

THARPARKER: Under drought spell for the third consecutive year, Tharparkar lost six more children on Tuesday to malnutrition, in addition to two adults, Express News reported. 

These deaths have taken the toll to 83 for past 49 days. Of the six, two children - who were undergoing medical treatment - died in Diplo and Mithi.

Earlier on November 17, district health officer (DHO) Dr Bhurgari had claimed that only newborn children and premature babies - who are underweight - were dying.

Despite this clear admission of infants being underweight, however, the DHO had denied that malnutrition was killing the children.

The provincial government -  which is under fire for the deaths - had appealed to foreign donors to help mitigate the drought situation.