UNICEF to focus on child devpt,health and education in Jharkhand

Ranchi, June 26 (UNI) UNICEF country representative Cecilio Adorna said the international organisation will focus on child development, health and education in Jharkhand.

Taking note of the pathetic condition of these sectors in the state, the organisation has launched a number of programmes for improving health, nutrition, environment and elementary education for children.

UNICEF, in its recent survey report, revealed that more than 50 per cent of children below three years of age were underweight and about 49 per cent had below normal height in Jharkhand.

Similarly, less than seven per cent of the children aged 12 to 23 months were immunised.

The report indicated that around 82 per cent of children and 73 per cent women were anaemic and about 38 per cent children were born with low birth weight in Jharkhand.

In order to expedite its programmes, the organisation has also identified key problem areas which includes poor access and lack of quality health service, inadequate home based care practices and ''poor learning outcome of school going'' children.

The report mentioned the poor literacy rate of Jharkhand which is 54 per cent, with the male literacy rate at 68 per cent while that of females at 39 per cent.

More than 10 per cent of children were not enrolled in primary schools.

The survey report gave an alarming figure that only 5 per cent of rural household had toilets.

Mr Adorna said Jharkhand is dedicating tremendous efforts and resources in advancing the rights of children and the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs). He hoped their presence in Jharkhand would help the government in achieving its goal.

The organisation yesterday inaugarated its state office here which was earlier operational from its office located in Bihar.

UNI AM BA PA DS1215