Ten-year-old Gangaram Yadav of Sainamaina-13 in Rupandehi suffers from a severe case of malnutrition.

He has been bed-ridden since age two. He cannot walk properly or communicate.

Gangaram’s mother Janaka did not know that her son’s condition was caused by malnutrition. So said took him to faith healers. Gangaram never recovered.

Three-year-old Riya Pariyar of Pragatinagar in Butwal-13 also suffers from malnutrition. Her mother Janu said she has not taken her daughter to hospital despite her condition.

Laxmi Raj Regmi of Lumbini Zonal Hospital said many parents do not understand malnutrition and its effects on children.

“They have no knowledge about healthy, balanced diet. So whenever their children get sick, they do not seek medical help,” Regmi said.

Till date, the Children Nutrition Rehabilitation Home at the hospital has already provided treatment to 270 kids suffering from severe malnutrition.

Ranju Chhetri, the in charge of the rehabilitation home, said most of the parents have no knowledge of balance diet. “We have been providing medical treatment and feeding diet for malnourished kids for 15 to 45 days in rehabilitation home,” said Chhetri.

According to the data at the rehabilitation home, at least 453 children were found suffering from malnutrition at Semalar, Motipur, Gonaha and Mainabagar in the last three years.

“Many Parents have not brought their malnourished kids to provide treatment. Government and various organisations working in the field of food and hygiene should create awareness in people,” said Chhetri.  

Meanwhile, Information Officer of District Public Health Office Krishna Pangeni said 0.58 percent kids in the district are suffering from malnutrition in the district. “The data was collected from the various vaccination centres of the district,” said Pangeni.