Nutrition – Kharge Targets Centre Over Findings in Latest Health Survey
Nutrition – Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the central government, alleging that women and children across the country have been let down in key areas such as healthcare and nutrition. Referring to findings from the recently released sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), he claimed the report highlights serious concerns that reflect shortcomings in government policies and implementation.
Concerns Raised Over Nutrition Indicators
Quoting data from the nationwide survey, Kharge pointed to several indicators that he said require urgent attention. According to the figures cited by the Congress leader, nearly one in every five children is affected by acute malnutrition, while around one-third are underweight. He also highlighted that a large majority of children between six and 23 months do not receive sufficient nutrition during a crucial stage of development.
The Congress chief further noted that anaemia continues to be a major challenge among women. As per the survey findings referenced by him, more than half of women in the 15-49 age group are anaemic, while a significant share of women are also reported to be undernourished.
Allegations of Withholding Critical Information
In a post shared on social media platform X, Kharge alleged that the government has not only failed to adequately address health and nutrition issues but has also concealed important information that could reveal weaknesses in its performance. He argued that transparency is essential when dealing with public health concerns and claimed that key findings are often not highlighted sufficiently.
BJP Accused of Managing Perception
Expanding his criticism, Kharge accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to divert attention from governance challenges. He alleged that the ruling party relies on a strategy that includes limiting public discussion on uncomfortable data, neglecting vulnerable communities, promoting political slogans, shaping public narratives, and maintaining the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The remarks have added a political dimension to the discussion surrounding the latest health survey, which is regarded as one of the most comprehensive assessments of social and health indicators in the country.
Background of the NFHS-6 Survey
The NFHS-6 was conducted during 2023-24 under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The survey was carried out with support from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, which served as the nodal agency for the exercise.
Officials gathered information from approximately 6.79 lakh households spread across 715 districts nationwide. The survey provides detailed insights into population trends, healthcare access, nutrition levels, maternal and child welfare, and other key development indicators. Its findings are widely used by policymakers and administrators to evaluate existing programmes and improve implementation at the district level.
Government Highlights Positive Progress
While opposition leaders have focused on areas of concern, the Union Health Ministry has emphasised improvements reflected in the survey. According to the ministry, the latest findings indicate progress in several child health indicators, including vaccination coverage and nutritional outcomes.
The ministry stated that India continues to move closer to achieving broader immunisation goals and has recorded gains in multiple areas linked to child welfare. Officials maintain that the survey demonstrates both achievements and areas requiring continued attention, providing a framework for future policy interventions.