Though the National Demographic Survey showed that 11 percent of the total children in the country are affected by malnutrition, authorities say the number of such children in the district is around 15.2 percent. As per the survey carried out among 60,237 children of 6-59 months of age, 9,035 were found to be suffering from malnutrition. Among the undernourished children, 40 percent were stunted, 15 percent were anorexic and 45 percent were found to be underweight.

Bishnu Poudel, an official at the District Public Health Office, said an effective policy is required to tackle the problem and ensure proper growth of children. Though malnutrition can be avoided through breast feeding and homemade food, failure to create awareness among people was one of the major reasons behind such widespread malnutrition, he said.

According to the DPHO, seven children died of malnutrition in the past two years in the district. Among them, only four were taken to a medical facility.

However, after a campaign against malnutrition was launched in the district two years ago, 1,045 children have recuperated, while 9,090 are under-treatment. As part of the campaign, free medicines are being distributed through 23 out-patient treatment sites across the district.

According to Ananda Labh of the DPHO, a programme providing nutritional diet started showing positive results just within two weeks. A recent survey conducted by the DPHO among 3,779 children in five VDCs, meanwhile, has shown that 118 of them were undernourished.

Health workers said undernourished children are vulnerable to various diseases due to weakened immune system.