TIKAPUR: Seventeen children in Tikapur Municipality have been found to be suffering from malnutrition, according to data of the Health Promotion Centre in the municipality. Out of the 17 children, nine are girls. During a recent vitamin A supplement programme, officials found that malnutrition cases were on the rise in the villages. Bal Bahadur Rawal, chief at the promotion centre, said that a majority of the children from Dalit and impoverished families are found to be suffering from malnutrition. He said, “Most of the women don’t get relief from household chores and more often than not they are unable to feed their babies on time.” According to the municipal office, they have been providing nutritious food to the malnourished children. Himal Saru Magar, chief at Narayanpur Health Post, said that they have also started a campaign to raise awareness about balanced diets in the rural areas. (PR)