Maternal Health: Experts emphasize the need to focus on maternal and child health in Koraput district | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: Despite notable progress in various health-related areas, maternal health, child health, and nutrition require focused attention in the state, experts said on Wednesday during a one-day nutrition workshop organised by the district administration, UNICEF, and the voluntary organisation, Sova, on Tuesday.
Experts said that while the state’s average maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has decreased from 222 per 100,000 live births in 2011-12 to 119 in 2018-19, it remains above the national average of 97 and is even worse in the tribal districts of the state.Also, undernutrition is a cause of concern, especially among children in Koraput district, revealed govt data. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2020), 43% of the 1,49,001 children under five years old in Koraput are stunted, 16% are wasted, 7% are severely wasted, and 33% are underweight. Experts said that children from tribal communities in the district are the most affected.
“Prolonged poor health in children can lead to reduced concentration, hindered academic and physical growth, and weakened immunity,” said Sourav Bhattacharjee, nutrition specialist at UNICEF.
Govt officials said that the state has a special department dedicated to combating malnutrition.
Abani Kanta Sahu, chairman of the state food commission, said, “Govt planning, schemes, and policies are in place. However, their execution and monitoring must be taken seriously by the field staff.”
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