Poor Health Measures in Kerala Infants Death Becoming Serious Problem

24 May 2013
Attapadi

22 infant deaths in four months due to poor nutrition and inadequate healthcare has left the tribal belt of Attapadi in Kerala devastated. The tribal belt of Attapadi in Kerala has never had it so bad. “The government keeps saying that they will provide ragi and other nutrients through health centres. But till date we have not got anything. No doctor has ever turned up at our houses to check pregnant women,” said Ponnamma.

Six year old Suchithra too died recently, leaving her family shattered. As the tribal settlement is gripped with fear over these deaths, doctors say the basics have gone horribly wrong. At the local Anganwadi for toddlers, the facilities are dismal. The only food given is rice porridge and green gram served in the most unhygienic conditions. The state government admits a collective failure and has announced a fresh rehabilitation package.

“We are trying to feed the tribals instant food nutrients rather than the natural ones they are used to. Many of them even reject the food which finally leaves them malnutritioned,” said Dr Sreejith of Attapadi Tribal Specialty Hospital.

Source– http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kerala-poor-healthcare-leading-to-infant-deaths-govt-admits-to-lapse/393565-62.html

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