Bihar govt mulls direct benefit transfer scheme to reduce stunting

The state has highest percentage of stunted and underweight kids in country

yemen-malnourished-reuters Representational image | Reuters

The Bihar government is likely to introduce direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme with an aim to reduce stunting in the state.

At the directive of the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the health department is preparing a policy in this regard. It is likely to be brought before the state cabinet soon for approval, principal secretary of the department, Sanjay Kumar told THE WEEK.

“We are aware that Bihar has highest percentage stunting among children in the country and the DBT scheme is being formulated to bring down the incidence of stunting,” Kumar said.

According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4, 48.3 per cent of kids in Bihar are stunted, indicating a case of chronic acute malnutrition. Besides, 43.9 per cent of children are underweight, pointing to immediate acute malnutrition.

The recent outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in the state brought focus sharply on the nutrition status of children in Bihar. THE WEEK, in its investigation, found gross irregularities and lacunae in the nutritious food scheme in the state.

Apart from malnutrition, flaws in the health services in state were also under radar following the AES outbreak.

Unavailability of doctors

Sanjay Kumar while conceding that inadequate health infrastructure might be an issue said it was being constantly addressed and had been improved. He, however, said that the biggest problem in the state was the unavailability of sufficient number of doctors.

“The human resource is our biggest problem, especially in rural areas. Despite repeated efforts and improved remuneration and other conditions, doctors simply do not want to join government services. We had recruited about 400 doctors a few months ago under National Health Mission, but only 25 per cent joined. This is when the salary package at district level has been hiked to over Rs 1.2 lakh,” Kumar told THE WEEK.

He said efforts are on to find a solution to this issue. He, however, added that during the AES outbreak, the department came out with response suitable to emergency situation and took hold of the situation in time.

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