There is no doubt economic growth is pivotal for resolving a large number of issues in a still-developing country. With money in hand, even the poor can make choices that benefit them. Having said that, economic growth takes a while to have a visible impact in people’s lives. Meanwhile, people, rather babies, die every day. Can we continue to wait for growth before such lives are saved?
There is a report that comes out every year—equally disputed and anxiously awaited. It is the Human Development Index (HDI) Report that the United Nations Development Programme brings out. HDI takes into account a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. Various specific indicators determine the status of a nation. Infant mortality is one.
For all its impressive initiatives and grassroots programmes, India ranked way down at 135 in a list of 187 countries in the 2014 HDI report. It has been the same since 2012. And, depending on which mathematical model of research is followed, it is claimed 3,000 to 5,000 babies die every day in India. It is like the numbers game of eminent organisations like the World Bank and IMF. Figures we like to shun or dispute when they do not suit us and latch on to, when they do. These days, World Bank, IMF and Moody’s are “in” because they predict a bright future for India’s economy. So, why not go by the UNDP figures and talk about malnourished dying babies?
First, the routine shock value statements. Most of these children are dying of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Many can be saved with a basic institutional intervention. We are killing them out of neglect. India’s “world share” on this account is 24%. We share place with Nigeria, Congo, Pakistan and China in the number of children dying daily.
Now, get ready for the real shocker. A SAM child can double its weight within a week at a Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC). Every district in India needs about four NRCs to spare these daily deaths. The government, UNICEF and WHO have set out clear operational guidelines for NRCs, offering full details for setting up and maintenance of such centres. So, what is the problem?
It’s the same it has been since Independence. We keep waiting for “sarkar” to do something. Where are the corporates with social responsibility, the temples overflowing with gold and cash, thriving ashrams, and businessmen who flourish in malls and even small-town marketplaces? Why should they not be drawn in to contribute and build infrastructure to save babies? Simply put: 20 pizzas @ `300 x 365 days can help set up and provide basic maintenance costs for one NRC. About `22 lakh. As of 2013 data, there were 763 NRCs across 16 states and UTs. To save SAM children, we need 2,704 across all the 676 districts. Available for easy access like primary health centres, anganwadis and district hospitals.
Sure, this cannot solely remain the government’s task. These are our children. As per 2013 figures, there were 81,05,000 SAM children below the age of five. Only 1,28,431 made it to an NRC. We, as a society, have to galvanise ourselves. For a start, elected chiefs at the blocks can be sensitised to leverage “social responsibility” in the business/trader community. In our metropolises, each pizza outlet can be motivated to set a box aside in which the payment of 20 pizzas is put in daily.
We are sitting on the verge of being the youngest nation. Maybe a SAM child poster at every other eatery and cinema hall will galvanise our youth.
In 2011, an “Operational Guidelines on Facility Based Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition-2011” was published and disseminated by Child Health Division, ministry of health and family welfare. For those thinking of saving SAM children, moving ahead is an Internet click away. We’ve eradicated polio from India. We can surely “fast-track” and save malnourished babies.