NYT/AP: Half of India's Children Are Malnourished: Despite dramatic economic achievements

Half of India's Children Are Malnourished
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 9, 2007

NEW DELHI (AP) -- Nearly half of India's children are malnourished, putting the country in the same league as some of the world's poorest countries -- even though fewer infants are dying and more pregnant Indian women are seeing doctors, according to government data released Friday.

The figures from India's National Family Health Survey offered a snapshot of a country that has made gains in recent years, yet is struggling to match its dramatic economic achievements with equal improvements in the health of its more than 1 billion people.

The data also highlighted persistent gaps between the health of rural and urban India, and the awareness of health issues among men and women, who in many parts of India remain second class citizens, at best.

But the most glaring problem illustrated by the data was the health of India's children.

With about 46 percent of children underweight -- a negligible improvement over the last survey, conducted in 1998-99 -- India is in the same league as nations like Burkina Faso and Cambodia. In China, Asia's other rising economic power and the country India so often compares itself with, only 8 percent of children are underweight.

The improved infant mortality rate -- down to 57 per 100,000 births from 68 in 1998-99 -- remains dramatically higher than that seen in Western nations, such the Netherlands, where it is 4....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-India-Health.html

to incorporate the "untouchables" or to destroy their caste system through free enterprise, capitalism, and/or democracy. Like this country, the imbalance of wealth distribution will not lift all boats.

I sponsored a child in India who passed away in November. Apparently, she contracted a virus from drinking contaminated water. :cry: I now sponsor another child in her same project & pray every day she stays healthy & safe.

dg

Arundhati Roy has written many great essays about economic conditions in India.