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Karnataka minister airs concern over growing malnutrition among pregnant women, children

He expressed concern over the growing malnutrition among pregnant women and children in the 'Kalyana Karnataka' region.

Published Jan 30, 2024 | 6:16 PM ⚊UpdatedJan 30, 2024 | 6:16 PM

Karnataka Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development and Livelihood Dr Sharan Prakash Patil. (X)

Karnataka Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development and Livelihood Dr Sharan Prakash Patil on Tuesday, 30 January, acknowledged the challenge of growing malnutrition among women and children and urged the people to make use of the central and state government schemes to address the issue.

He expressed concern over the growing malnutrition among pregnant women and children in the Kalyana Karnataka region and stressed the need to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in society to get rid of malnutrition.

The minister was addressing the gathering in Bengaluru after inaugurating a two-day workshop on Food, Nutrition, Health-Hygiene & Wash organised by the National Livelihood Mission.

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Cites state govt programme

“In order to address malnutrition among the children, our government is providing eggs to schoolchildren twice a week and those who don’t consume eggs would be provided bananas and ‘chikki’,” Patil said.

The state government has launched the ‘Anaemia Mukta Poushtika Karnataka’ (Anaemia-free Nutrition Karnataka) scheme to address anaemia and malnutrition among newborns, children, teens, and pregnant and lactating mothers, he said. “This will improve the situation gradually.”

Emphasising the importance of women’s role in making any scheme successful, the minister underlined the need for women’s self-help groups.

“The Sthri Shakthi women self-help groups started by former chief minister SM Krishna in 1999 did a great job in improving the rural economy. Dharmasthala Rural Development self-help group and many organisations have helped women become economically self-reliant. The society today needs such organisations,” he said.

Karnataka has become a role model in the country in empowering women, and the state government’s schemes are being applauded at national and international levels, he added.

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