Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
1. Explain the worsening impact of Covid-19 on malnutrition in children of India. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The opinion from Indian express brings to us the impact of the pandemic on the Malnutrition of children in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
One must explain the worsening impact of Covid-19 on malnutrition in children of India.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with what Malnutrition is and its general conditions in the country.
Body:
Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of death and diseases in children under-five years of age globally. It adversely affects cognitive development and learning capacities among children, thereby resulting in decreased productivity in the booming years.
Discuss the factors that have led to it in the country.
Despite various targeted outreach and service delivery programmes run by the government such as POSHAN Abhiyaan, Supplementary Nutrition and Anaemia Mukt Bharat, to name a few, 16 out of the 22 states and Union territories have still shown an increase in SAM, as per NFHS-5 conducted in 2019-20.
While the deteriorating facets of malnutrition continue to remain a matter of grave concern, the emergence of COVID-19 has only worsened it.
Suggest its impact and explain what needs to be done to overcome it.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the issue.
