Malnutrition: 8 Ghor children dead, 200 hospitalised

FEROZ KOH City (Pajhwok): Eight children have died while 200 others were hospitalised due to malnutrition in the past six months in western Ghor province, an official said on Thursday.

Civil Hospital Director Abdul Hamd Noori expressed concern over the growing impact of malnutrition and said around 200 children suffering from it had been referred to the hospital over the past six months. At least eight of them lost their lives.

He said over 20 children were currently under treatment at the hospital. Two of them are in critical condition.

Hassamuddin, who brought one of his children to the hospital, said: “For the past six months, this child has been suffering from malnutrition. During this period, we have been unable to pay for the child’s treatment.”

He added poverty, economic problems and drought caused malnutrition among children.

Reza Gul, who has to take care of a malnutrition patient, said his weak economic situation and inability to buy food caused the child malnutrition.

He asked the government and relevant organisations to support the medical treatment of the child.

On the other hand, a number of civil activists and residents expressed concerns about the malnourished children and asked the government and donors for assistance to people, especially in remote areas.

mw/nh/mud

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