Working to achieve a productive society

Children are our future and any deviation from the normal path of their development and wellbeing can have severe consequences for the future of the nations. Children across the globe need to be healthy and fit enough to carry on with the responsibility of taking nations forward.
However, across the globe many countries and region shave not been able to uphold the health of the posterity, which if ignored any further can prove disastrous for the future of the kids and the country itself.
In today’s world children may have the luxury of availing best healthcare and other facilities, but owing to our sedentary life styles many children are faced with several health issues. Besides, there are regions that are still fighting poverty and lack of facilities that also raise several questions on the health and wellbeing of the kids.
Even though many strides have been achieved in providing best facilities for kids in Jammu and Kashmir, but government data still suggests that around 1.14 lakh children are suffering from malnutrition in the UT.
The social welfare department commissioner secretary during a review meeting the other day has reported that 9,14,031 (9.14 lakh) persons are being covered under a supplementary nutrition scheme.
About the specialised interventions taken by the department, the meeting was apprised that 22,76,067 (22.76 lakh) — 96 per cent of the targeted 23,64,938 (23.64 lakh) — home visits were conducted to reach out to the beneficiaries and these efforts led to the identification of 1,14,416 (1.14 lakh) children suffering from malnutrition — 24,261 from severe acute malnutrition, 69,177 from moderate acute malnutrition and 20,978 anaemic cases.
Malnutrition among children is a significant public health concern, with far-reaching consequences for their health, development, and future prospects.
Malnutrition occurs due to a diet lacking essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. This situation arises due to limited access to nutritious food, particularly in low-income households which often contributes to malnutrition.
Besides, failure to breastfeed or inadequate breastfeeding can also increase the risk of malnutrition in infants and also lead to infections and illnesses.
Given to the challenging situation that our children are faced with the impact of malnutrition needs to be minimised as malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, delayed development, and reduced cognitive abilities.
Since malnourished children are more prone to infections and illnesses, which can further exacerbate malnutrition, the phenomenon can also impact cognitive function, leading to poor academic performance and reduced opportunities.
Malnutrition in childhood can increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, later in life. This is quite disturbing as health and wellbeing of the future generations needs to be prime importance if we wish to see developed environs all around.
Though the situation is not so grave in Jammu and Kashmir, but efforts need to be redoubled to eliminate malnutrition completely.
The administration can initiate many measures which include providing nutrition education by educating parents, caregivers and communities about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Besides, ensuring access to nutritious food, particularly in low-income households, can help alleviate malnutrition. By addressing malnutrition among children, we can improve their health, development, and future prospects, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more productive society.