Karnataka Minister airs concern over growing malnutrition among pregnant women, children
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development and Livelihood Dr Sharan Prakash Patil on Tuesday acknowledged the challenge of growing malnutrition among women and children and urged the people to make use of the central and state government schemes to address the issue.
He expressed concern over the growing malnutrition among pregnant women and children in 'Kalyana Karnataka' region, and stressed on the need to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in the society to get rid of malnutrition. The minister was addressing the gathering here after inaugurating a two-day workshop on Food, Nutrition, Health-Hygiene & Wash organised by National Livelihood Mission.
"In order to address malnutrition among the children, our government is providing eggs to schoolchildren twice a week and those who don’t consume eggs would be provided bananas and 'chikki'," Patil said.
The state government has launched 'Anaemia Mukta Poushtika Karnataka' (Anaemia-free Nutrition Karnataka) scheme to address anaemia and malnutrition among newborns, children, teens, pregnant and lactating mothers, he said. "This will improve the situation gradually." Emphasising on the importance of women’s role in making any scheme successful, the Minister underlined the need of women self-help groups.
“The Sthri Shakthi women self-help groups started by former Chief Minister S M Krishna in 1999 did a great job in improving the rural economy. Dharmasthala Rural Development self-help group and many organisations have helped women become economically self-reliant. The society today needs such organisations," he said.
Karnataka has become a role model in the country in empowering women, and the state government's schemes are being applauded at national and international level, he added.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
