Odisha’s Kandhamal registers 3,500 malnutrition deaths in five yrs

Phulbani: As many as 3,500 children have died of malnutrition in Kandhamal district so far in the past five years reminding the forgotten picture of Nagada village in Odisha’s mineral rich Jajpur district.

According to government statistics, around 3,500 children between the age group 0-5 years have died in the past five years in Kandhamal district.

As per the report from district headquarters hospital, total 552 children have died of malnutrition in 2013-14, 702 in 2014-15, 673 in 2015-16 and 516 in 2016-17.

Similarly, the number of deaths due to malnutrition was 756 by end of April 2017-18.

While Phiringia Block tops the list with 480, the highest number malnutrition deaths in the past five years followed by Daringbadi (431), G Udayagiri had the minimum death reports with 83 during the period.

Even after several initiatives by the government, the healthcare schemes could not reach the tribal regions following which the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is increasing in Kandhamal district.

With increase in the malnutrition deaths, the failure of schemes for pregnant woman and infants in Kandhamal is expected to create Nagada-like situation in the tribal district.