Here is a SHOCKER! Punjab, the breadbasket of India, a state we are so proud of, has devastating statistics on the health of women and children.
The Tribune, the English daily published out of Chandigarh, reports that over 80 per cent of infants in Punjab are anemic, every second child is stunted and every third child is undernourished.
The article quotes the state wise reports from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) 2005-2006 that became available recently. According to this article, the NFHS survey conducted under the stewardship of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare government of India, shows 80 per cent of the children in Punjab in the age group six months to three years are anemic. Surprisingly in both Punjab and Haryana more than 60 per cent of the children of educated mothers have been found to be anemic and 37 per cent of the children under 5 are stunted, one in ten is wasted and almost one fourth are underweight. Thirty-eight percent women in Punjab suffer from anemia. The child mortality rate (1-5 years) is particularly high for girls in Punjab. While 6 boys (per 1000) die before they are five years old, as many as 16 girls die before they are five.
The bias against the girl child also shows up in the vaccination trends ascertained by the surveys. In Punjab, only 54 per cent of girls between the age of one to two years, compared to 65 per cent boys in the same age group, are fully vaccinated.
What can be done to correct this? Why do we, who pride ourselves on being such a progressive community, allow this to happen in our midst? Clearly this situation has not arisen due to shortage of food, or poverty. Is it a result of ignorance and social bias against women who as care givers of infants and children do not have free access to food for themselves or their children? Whatever be the reasons it is a shame for all Punjabis. What does this say for the future of our community?
4 comments:
Social development is low on the priority list of the State Government. Its main focus is on industrialisation, urban develpment and setting up of mega projects like airports, etc. These, in themselves, are laudable objectives. What needs to be realised, however, is that such development can be counter-poductive unless social development is taken up first. Little is being done in education and health at the primary level. Schools and health centres are in a pathetic state with teachers and medical staff reluctant to man them. Things get worse as local people are not qualified to run the schools and dispensaries. The policies of the state are also flawed. For example, a primary school teacher, with her home in Gurdaspur, can be posted to Abohar. What happens in such siutations is that a lot of people go on long leave! Why not let them remain in their home districts as is done in the US for instance?
Another reason for the poor state of affairs on the social front is that Punjabi philanthropists, if there are any in the real sense, do not focus on the upliftment of women and children in the rural areas. Their main concern is to set up businesses and thus keep looking to the Government for allotment of land at cheap rates. There are cases where NRI Punjabis have set up charitable hospitals and schools in the rural areas but the number is too small to make a difference. Giving huge donations to religious institutions is not serving the community in the best possible way. Social upliftment is the way to go.
I agree with all the points mentioned. I think the last point you mention about giving to religious institutions not serving the purpose is important. I suppose giving to religious institutions serves the ulterior motive of appeasing God! We do not as yet have a culture of giving for the larger good. For example, to schools or even taking an interest and demanding a voice in their management. We also do not donate! I intend to address these issues separately - of contributing to educational advancement both in cash and kind. Watch out for that subject and perhaps we can start a small movement :)
Take care of the small things and the big things will fall into place.
I congratulate the Punjabi connetion's endeavour to bring such issues in the limelight for the betterment of the state & the country at large.
I think we Punjabis have had enough of "balle balle" and "cheers." We really need serious discussions,ideas, etc, and if possible, action.
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