Approximately 18,000 children have been identified as suffering from severe acute malnutrition during the government-led National Nutrition Assessment Campaign.
The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene conducted the campaign to assess the nutritional status of children. Presenting the campaign findings, Chief of the Nutrition Section at the Department of Health Services, Lilabikram Thapa, stated that severe acute malnutrition was detected in 18,309 children. According to him, out of 1,035,201 children assessed during the campaign, 18,309 were found to be suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The assessment also found that 88,205 children were affected by acute malnutrition.
Thapa said the campaign was conducted from April 28 to May 28 to assess the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months, and to facilitate the early identification and treatment of acute malnutrition. “Since we conducted the campaign nationwide this time, a larger number of children with severe acute malnutrition were identified,” he said. “Given the high number of severe acute malnutrition cases, we will develop plans accordingly and implement them effectively in the coming days.”
According to Thapa, the highest number of severe acute malnutrition cases was reported in Madhesh Province, with 8,380 children, followed by Lumbini with 3,015, Sudurpashchim with 1,758, Koshi with 1,590, Karnali with 1,503, Bagmati with 1,401, and Gandaki with 662 cases.
He explained that children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are typically extremely thin and visibly emaciated, with prominent ribs. Such children are provided with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), which helps restore their health. For children who do not recover through therapeutic food alone, 25 rehabilitation centers across the country provide daily monitoring and nutritional support for both mothers and children.
Similarly, acute malnutrition was most prevalent in Madhesh Province, affecting 38,948 children. According to Thapa, 17,879 children in Lumbini, 9,344 in Sudurpashchim, 6,596 in Koshi, 6,480 in Bagmati, 5,989 in Karnali, and 2,969 in Gandaki were also found to be suffering from acute malnutrition.
Children with acute malnutrition often experience weight loss, low weight for their age, and physical weakness.
Thapa further informed that the government has already prepared to incorporate the National Nutrition Assessment Campaign into its regular programs from next year to continuously monitor the nutritional status of children and mothers.