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India's rights panel issues notice to Madhya Pradesh gov't over malnutrition deaths

Xinhua, September 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

India's rights panel Wednesday issued a notice to local government of Madhya Pradesh state over reported deaths of 116 children due to malnutrition.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued the notice after taking cognizance of 116 deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district.

According to NHRC, three nutrition rehabilitation centers in the district are overcrowded and lack facilities as well as doctors.

"The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that 116 children have died due to malnutrition related ailments in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh during the last five months. The chief medical officer has reportedly accepted these facts," a statement issued by NHRC said.

The right's panel has sought a detailed report on the deaths from the state government within four weeks.

"The Commission has observed that the contents of media reports are distressing and a matter of concern as these indicate towards violation of human rights of children due to malnutrition and lack of health care by the state," the NHRC said.

Seeking proper implementation of government schemes for supplementary nutrition for both lactating mothers and children, the NHRC said state was duty bound to ensure that young children are not deprived of proper nutritious and balanced diet.

"Reportedly children are forced to sleep on the floor at the nutrition rehabilitation centers as there are no beds available for them. Many children, suffering from malnutrition, are not being attended by the doctors for hours," the panel in its statement said.

"The District Collector of Sheopur has stated that they have called doctors from the other district to attend them. Due to overcrowding and lack of basic hygiene, the hospitals have also become prone to infection." Endit