A new health survey conducted in the tribal hamlets in Attappady has found that 80 per cent of children up to the age of one year had stunted growth as a result of malnourishment, and an equal number of mothers had haemoglobin level of less than 10 gm per cent, far below the normal level of 15.5 gm.
The survey, conducted by Centre for Tribal Education Development and Research (THAMPU), an organisation comprising members of the tribal community, found that anaemia and deficiency of folic acid among pregnant tribeswomen were the main contributory factors in the death of infants and for stunted growth among children. Some of the mothers even recorded haemoglobin level of 5.5 gm, the survey said.
The organisation carried out the survey in November with the assistance of a medical team led by the former vice principal of the Government Medical College, Alappuzha, E.K Sathyan.
Sharing the findings of the survey with the media here on Friday, president of THAMPU Rajendra Prasad said the death of 22 infants last year even after the announcement of a Rs.400-crore package following a number of deaths of newborns in 2013, had prompted the organisation to carry out the survey.
The medical examination of 40 children and verification of their medical records revealed that majority of them weighed 400 to 600 gm at birth and even after four to six months, the children had not gained weight significantly.
Information gathered through the Right to Information Act had revealed that only about Rs.50 crore of the total Rs.400 crore had been utilised in the hamlets, he said adding that women were deprived of dietary food and medical care during pregnancy. The findings of the survey would be given to the State government for its consideration, he added.
Public Health activist and former vice chancellor of the University of Kerala B. Ekbal said the death of infants had brought discredit to the much acclaimed health policy of the State.
“There was a time when we could boast our health indicators. The death of infants at Attappady has brought us shame, and if the trend continues we would be bracketed with certain under developed countries,” he said.
Survey conducted by THAMPU in November
Findings to be given to State government
