Unlike in the past when poverty and malnutrition had caused a large number of infant mortality cases in the tribal regions of Attappady, congenital anomalies or birth defects are now taking a toll on new-born babies of tribal people in the backward region.
Thirteen new-born babies have died due to birth defects since January this year in the Attappady block which forms part of Mannarkkad Assembly Constituency. In 2016, only eight cases of infant mortality were reported from the region. According to health department officials, this is the highest figure since 2015.
In this largest tribal settlement in Kerala, most of the infant mortality cases happened this year because of birth defects related to heart, lungs and oesophagus. Though no maternal deaths were reported during the previous year, a case of maternal death was reported this year. Health officials confirm that fetal deaths also remain high in the region and six cases of fetal deaths were reported so far this year. During the previous year, the number of fetal deaths was eight.
“The deaths are happening irrespective of implementation of a number of multi-crore projects of targeted intervention to prevent poverty and malnutrition. We are also implementing a number of projects to enhance maternal health. The region requires serious studies to address this emerging situation,” said nodal medical officer Dr. Prabhudas.
It was only two weeks ago, a two-day old child born to tribal couple Santhosh and Anita of Chindakki hamlet died due to jejuna atresia, a birth defect that causes intestinal blockages.
On its part, Health Department has initiated steps to appoint an expert committee to look into the sudden rise of congenital anomalies among tribal babies of the region. After finding that lack of nutrition among pregnant mothers and adolescent girls as main cause for the high infant mortality rate, government has been implementing many schemes including the much hyped community kitchen in which nutritious meal is being supplied free of cost.
While most of the kitchens are providing only cocked rice and one variety of pulses daily, there is a demand to include milk, egg, pulses, millets, and quality rice in the scheme on regular basis.
“The continuing deaths expose the hollowness in the government’s flawed vision on tribal welfare. What is happening in the region is a combined effect of poverty, lack of employment, land alienation, failure to provide forest rights, loss of traditional agriculture and loss of indigenous food. There must be a comprehensive vision to address the tribal issue of the region,” says tribal activist K.A. Ramu.
In the past, tribals had access to a variety of wild greens, tubers, pulses and millets. Now they lack a balanced diet consisting of iron, carbohydrates and proteins.