AHMEDABAD: Gujarat is the worst performing state in the country when it comes to anaemia in children under five years old. Some 79.7% of children in the 5-59 months age group who are anaemic, according the the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-V). Only Ladakh, a Union Territory, has a higher rate of anaemia in children.
The percentage of anaemic children in Gujarat is higher in rural areas. NFHS data reveals that the percentage of anaemic children increased to 79.7% from 62.6% recorded in NFHS IV. The data also revealed that the anaemia among women in the 15-49 age group was nearly as high at 65% and was also the highest, 60%, in the 15-19 years age group. Not just women, 26.6% of men are also anaemic in the state. This number was 21.6% according to NFHS-IV.
Malnutrition in the state has also rose marginally. The number of stunted and underweight children increased by 0.5 of a percentage point while that of severely wasted children increased 1.1 percentage points. Only 5.2% of children in the age group of 6-23 months received a proper diet. Officials said the increase in children with malnutrition indicates a miserable failing. The officials said the claims of the health department of providing nourishing food to mother and children do not reflect in NFHS-V. The fact that 62.6% of pregnant women are also anaemic shows that the state’s interventions are not adequate. tnn