12 children severely malnourished in Gorkha

GORAKHA, AUGUST 16: Twelve children in Gorkha district are suffering from severe malnutrition, according to the district health office.

During growth monitoring in the last fiscal year 2081/082, 2,731 children were checked, and 73 were found to be malnourished. Among them, 61 children had moderate malnutrition, while 12 were severely malnourished, said Navaraj Khadka, Public Health Officer at the Nutrition Section of the Gorkha Health Office.

Children with severe malnutrition are receiving treatment at the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition Center. “Some children have recovered and returned home, while others are still under treatment,” Khadka said. Children with moderate malnutrition are being treated at home with proper diet.

Malnourished children were found in all local municipalities except Chum Nubri and Ajirkot. In Palungtar Municipality, 25 children were malnourished—1 severe and 24 moderate. In Bhimsen Thapa Rural Municipality, 4 children were severely malnourished and 6 moderately. In Gorkha Municipality, 4 children were severely and 4 moderately malnourished.

Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality reported 8 children with moderate malnutrition, and Gandaki Rural Municipality reported 7. In Siranchok, 3 children had moderate malnutrition. Arughat Rural Municipality had 3 severely and 4 moderately malnourished children. Dharche Rural Municipality reported 3, and Barpak Sulikot 2 children with moderate malnutrition.

Khadka said poor diet is a major reason for child malnutrition in the district. Low birth weight is also a concern, caused by factors like mothers not eating iron- or calcium-rich foods or consuming tobacco. Last fiscal year, 82 children were born with low birth weight.

In previous years, 75 children were malnourished in 2080/081, 79 in 2078/079, and 63 in 2079/080. The health office monitors nutrition for children aged six months to 59 months.