PALAKKAD: Five children and a mother died of anemia and other diseases in Attappady last week. Three deaths were reported on Friday alone. Six-year-old Sivaranjini was the last to succumb to an illness.
Recent deaths show that failures in implementing health and welfare systems for several communities have once again seriously affected the health of children and pregnant women in Attappady. Indigenous people are concerned that if the situation continues, the death toll will rise similarly to 2013. In 2013, 47 children (official number -31) died in Attapady.
While government sources said 9 children died this year, unofficial figures showed 12 infant deaths. However, the autopsy report says the majority of babies who died after 2018 died after milk got stuck in their throats. The Adivasi Action Council calls for this to be scientifically investigated.
Almost 35,000 indigenous peoples live in the Attappady region, which includes the Sholayur, Puthur and Agali. The rise in infant mortality is reported despite the central and state governments claiming various programs worth Rs.300 billion to tackle malnutrition following the mass infantile deaths in 2013.
Community kitchens remain closed; Hospitals without staff
Janani – Janmaraksha scheme stalled
The Janani Janmaraksha program, which provides 2,000 rupees per month to ensure the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women, was discontinued three months ago. In Attappady there are 560 beneficiaries of this program.
Infant Mortality – Official Figures
2013–31
2014–15
2015-14
2016–8
2017-14
2018–24
2019-7
2020-10
2021 (so far) – 9.
