Malnutrition bloats in schoolchildren

By Dayaratne Embogama   

Ceylon Teachers Union has said that 28 per cent of the  children between five and 19 years of age in Anuradhapura District and  27 per cent of the schoolchildren in the Polonnaruwa District were  suffering from malnutrition.   

Its President Priyantha Fernando said the children in  Nochchiyagama, Wilachchiya, and Rambewa divisions in Anuradhapura District and those in Welikanda, Dimbulagala and Mahampitiya divisions  in Polonnaruwa District were the worst affected.   

“The rate of undernourished children in the North Central  Province is increasing in large proportions every year. This has  resulted in a decline in attendance in schools and they are not active.  According to medical advice meat, fish and eggs should be added to the  diet of undernourished children at regular intervals of three hours.  However, the prevailing economic constraints would not permit the  parents to adhere to the medical advice.”   

“The Lancet Magazine of England has carried out a survey  based on data pertaining to several countries and administrative regions  to find that 860,000 children in Sri Lanka are suffering from  malnutrition and are underweight. This is a clear indication that the  education of a majority of children is in danger.” he further said.          
*This has  resulted in a decline in attendance in schools