Mid-Day: 619, Dead. So, who is responsible ?: September 13, 2011

619, Dead. So, who is responsible ?…..Ravikiran Deshmukh
After MiD DAY’s sustained coverage on malnutrition deaths, minister Varsha Gaikwad says plenty of departments are in charge of children’s welfare, but there are no takers for collective responsibility

So many in charge, but no one’s accountable

Following a series of articles by this newspaper about the dismal condition of children, instances of allegedly costly purchases, the alarming cases of child malnutrition, and the consequent deaths reported — as many as over 619 aged 0-1 year last year in Nashik district alone — the women and child development department has sought to clarify its stand.

Speaking with this newspaper on Monday, Women and Child Development Minister Varsha Gaikwad said that her department is taking the utmost care to fight the scourge of malnutrition. But a lot of other departments are involved, over whose functioning she has no control.

However, for a better understanding of the subject, for the first time, the state government will come up with a white paper on malnutrition, and local MLAs and MLCs will be involved so they can have their say in tackling the issue. Through the exercise, a clearer picture will emerge that will help work things out in future, the minister said. “Ours is not the only department at the state level that is dealing with prevention of malnutrition among children and women. At least eight other departments are expected to do their bit as well,” Gaikwad said.

“In fact, my department looks after 104 blocks. Each block takes care of 150 anganwadis in the 553 blocks. The remaining 449 blocks are controlled by the Rural Development Department. Except supply of food and distribution of budgetary provisions, our department has no control over the 449 blocks, and we cannot take officials to task for any lapses or dereliction of duty,” rued the minister.

“Even after holding a few meetings with the minister and officials concerned, things are the same. We cannot initiate any action, nor can we order transfer from the 449 blocks even after major lapses in delivery of services come to our notice,” Gaikwad said.

“Our department is concerned with anganwadi assistance and the supply of food. Other issues — be it medical facilities, timely distribution of funds, implementation of other important programmes, special care of tribal communities and so on — are taken care of by departments such as public health, food and civil supplies, tribal development, finance etc,” she added.

Future plan
Elaborating her plan of action, Gaiwad said, “A detailed survey was on to assess the ground realities. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has asked the additional chief secretary (public health) to head a committee that will coordinate with other departments and conduct a timely review of the measures.”

About the allegations of overpriced procurements, she said, “A meeting was held a few days back over the purchases issue. We have a very limited role here also as the rate contracts for various supplies of commodities were ratified by the industries department. And we have to rely on Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (MSSIDC).” In fact, the MSSIDC cited a Government Resolution, to tell her that all the purchases were to be made only through them. “Similar is the case with medicines. The purchases were made according to the rate contracts approved by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).” “But we have decided to depute six special flying squads to conduct surprise visits to anganwadi centres to verify the timely supply and availability of various required items,” the minister concluded.

Lack of specialists leave kids in bad shape….Rinkita Gurav
Although primary health centres have certified doctors, there is a crippling shortage of paediatricians in Nashik to help treat children of malnourishment and other ailments

After MiD DAY exposed the problem of malnourishment in Nashik (‘619 babies died hungry last year’, September 4) more problems have surfaced. This time, it has been revealed, that there are very few paediatric doctors in the district owing to which there is very little attention paid to children and newborns.

According to the chairman of the Women and Child Welfare Committee Dr Sangita Patil, there is a dearth of medical help for young ones, which is a grave problem. Explaining the situation, she said that every primary centre in the district had two certified doctors but no specialists. “There is a need for paediatricians to pay attention to the children who are born weak and require medical assistance. We have asked the department to fill in the posts immediately.”

According to Patil, children in the district are already a neglected lot, as most of them have to contend with little or no food most of the times. Also, parents seldom take their children to the primary health centres — the first option for villages to seek medical treatment ? and when they do it is almost always a little too late.

Officials from the Zilla Parishad claim that most children fall sick in the monsoon as they are more prone to water-borne diseases and the lack of food makes them only that much more prone to illnesses.

Ranjeet Kumar, the CEO of the Zilla Parishad conducted a surprise visit at the centres in Harshul Taluka.

“I checked the condition of the patients and also wanted to see the facilities provided and although some things can be improved, things are fine here. I’ve made a report about it and would be submitting it,” said Kumar.