Child malnutrition cases up by 53pc in Daiknundi

NELLI (Pajhwok): Over 36,000 children suffered from malnutrition in central Daikundi province during last solar showing 53 percent surge in malnutrition cases comparing with the figure of the previous year, an official said on Monday.

Zainullah Taimuri, director Malnutrition Section and spokesperson for the Health Department, said during last solar year —1401— 36,364 children suffered from malnutrition.

He said in solar year 1400, the number of children suffered from malnutrition in Daikundi was 16,951.

He linked surged in malnutrition among children with poverty, drought and the lack of public awareness in the province.

Some Daikundi residents were also concerned at the growing cases of malnutrition among children.

They asked the government to provide treatment or their children suffering from malnutrition at their door step adding that they were unable to travel to other areas due to economic issues.

Niamatullah, the resident of Kajran district in Daikundi, said his child suffered from malnutrition and hospitalized in the provincial hospital. He is satisfied from the treatment of his child but asked the government to provide similar facility in their district

“We want the government to provide health facility in our district where our children can get treatment,” he said.

According to Taimuri over 140 health teams and some NGOs working in Daikundi to spread awareness regarding the prevention of malnutrition.

He said humanitarian aid ad allocation of fund to deal with malnutrition among children could be effective options if materialized.

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