Mumbai malnutrition cases due to infection: Govt

Mumbai, June 19 (UNI) Maharashtra government today clarified that the nine cases of malnutrition, which were found in Bhandup area in North East Mumbai, were of infection.

Public Health Secretary Dr V S Singh told reporters here malnutrition could be because of infection also. He said of the nine children, seven were admitted to Rajawadi hospital while two were being treated at CAMA hospital.

A thorough investigation revealed that of the seven admitted in Rajawadi, five had infection, which could lead to malnutrition.

Meanwhile, State Health Minister Dr Vimal Mundada also announced a programme which will be implemented in five districts of Maharashtra, in which the children upto six years of age will be given doses of vitamin A and D and deworming. She also said pregnant women will be given medicines so that they are able to give birth to well nourished children.

The five tribal dominated districts chosen for this programme - are Thane, Nashik, Nandurbar, Amravati and Gadchiroli.

The number of children in these districts are - 16,17,569, while there are 2,77,000 pregnant women.

The programme will be taken up on June 20 and 27.

UNI JM GK PA DB1852