Huge increase in child malnutrition - Health Ministry

Colombo (News 1st) - Sri Lanka’s babies are starving! 

A comprehensive report by the Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health shows alarming levels of malnutrition among children under 5 years, nationwide, in October 2022. 

Following the assessment, it was reported that a staggering 42.9% of children under 5 years are having some form of malnutrition problem which includes growth faltering, underweight, wasting, and stunting. 

This alarming trend is seen in all age categories - infants, 1-2 years, 2-5 years - and in all three sectors - urban, rural and estates.

The highest percentage of children under 5 years with any kind of malnutrion problem was reported from the Ampara district where 59.4% or 3 in 5 children are suffering from malnutrition. 

A total of 1,363,747 children were weighed and measured in all of Sri Lanka’s districts in the month of October. 

Nationwide, the percentage of Underweight Children under 5 years increased to a staggering 15.3% from 12.2% last year. 

Children with Wasting increased to 10.1% from 8.2%. 

Children with Stunting increased to 9.2% from 7.4%. 

The percentage of children with Severe Wasting is a shocking 1.4%.

The report notes that “Sri Lanka, at present is enduring an economic, energy and political crisis resulting in many families desperately needing assistance. Prices of most food items are on a steady rise and as a result, many vulnerable families are affected with resultant nutrition issues.”