Funds starvation hits Sheopur district

BHOPAL: Amid reports of a high-level central team's possible visit to the areas affected by malnutrition in Sheopur district, the administration seems to be grappling with shortage of resources to provide medical treatment to children with severe acute malnourishment (SAM).
As per official reports, three Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) in Karal, Sheopur and Vijayapur tehsils of the district have failed to accommodate large number of malnutrition cases that are pouring in from nearby villages."We have admitted children with SAM in the NRCs and those who need care were sent to Day Care Centres as the volume of children has increased. The administration is doing everything possible, but a collective effort is needed and other departments should also gear up for the same," said Chambal division commissioner Shivanand Dubey.
Dubey, however, said he wasn't aware about any high-level central team's visit to the area, saying the members must be doing their own investigation. However, he also said that the situation has worsened as a large number of mothers are anaemic and could not feed their babies. "Women, particularly in Saharia tribe, are not feeding their babies due to various reasons, including health problems," he said. The administration is keeping a watch on the situation and trying to make people aware, he added.
After Congress representation to the Union minister Maneka Gandhi, it was also surmised that MP being a BJP-ruled state, the Central government might first seek an official report on the issue before sending its own team.
"We have been assured by Maneka Gandhi that a report will reach Delhi on Monday and we are sure that a central team would take cognisance of the grim situation in Sheopur," said Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat. He said situation in NRCs has worsened as 75 to 100 children were seen lying on floor with number of malnourished kids increasing with each passing day.