Sri Lanka rejects global report on child malnutrition

12 March 2024 07:46 am - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 11 (Daily Mirror) - In response to recent findings published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, concerning child malnutrition and underweight girls, Sri Lanka's health authorities have rejected the content referred to the portrayal of Sri Lanka.

According to the study, approximately 410,000 girls in Sri Lanka are categorized as underweight, representing a prevalence of 16.4%. Despite efforts and initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and healthcare access, the report claims no detectable change in this distressing statistic since 1990.

The Lancet publication, which covers data from 1990 to 2022 and was released on February 29, also ranked Sri Lanka second globally, trailing only behind India, for the highest prevalence of dangerously underweight girls aged 5 to 19 years.

The analysis estimates that nearly 880 million adults and 159 million children lived with obesity in 2022.

The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized that the situation has remained static over the past three decades.

Furthermore, the research indicates that unlike in Sri Lanka, the prevalence of underweight individuals has decreased in India over a span of 33 years, starting from 1990.

However, Sri Lankan health authorities have vehemently rejected the conclusions drawn by the global report pertaining to the Sri Lankan context.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala said the findings demarcated in the said study can’t be condoned as they contradict the actual scenario in Sri Lanka.

At the same time, Director of the Family Health Bureau Dr. Chithramalee De Silva said they are not satisfied with the data the Lancet used to compile the report.

According to the latest report from the health ministry, Sri Lanka has witnessed severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in 15,763 children [1.2%] in 2023 while 2022 saw 18,420 [1.4%] SAM children.

The Health Ministry earlier rejected a report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on child malnutrition in Sri Lanka.

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Comments - 46

Kapila Nanayakkara Tuesday, 12 March 2024 08:16 AM

Are they crazy to reject the findings? This shows the mindset of these "educated" high officials in the ministry.

We Are Not Going to Be Undermined by former Occupier Tuesday, 12 March 2024 08:44 AM

For the first time Sri Lanka showing some balls in challenging British report which demeans Sri Lanka and praises India. This is report belongs to the “ rubbish bin “.

Beggers can't be choosers Tuesday, 12 March 2024 02:25 PM

Do you have home grown solutions as usual. You eat what the Indian Beggers provide and you want to be superior to them.

Thangam Tuesday, 12 March 2024 08:59 AM

when has SL govt. ever accepted any findings. They still go to UN every year and talk of a non existing "internal mechanism"

Suhada malli Tuesday, 12 March 2024 09:25 AM

Look at a solution where rural Pashu govi samithi are created to provide eggs, milk, gram coconuts buns to every village school to give a free breakfast to the kids. A small accounting or ERP/SCM app for each school will have registered suppliers who has cottage industries to supply these to the village school and the govt makes the payments via each school. You create entrepreneurs, SME development. Govt banks to give loans to buy a oven, buy a hen pen for say 40 hens per family, some families will get 4 cows and know how to grow feeding grass like this small businesses to serve the village school. Each school will have a committee to monitor quality and governance. During school holidays too kids can have the breakfast at the school and play thereafter. Using a UN fund get funding to sustain this for 2 years and by 3rd year national budget to allocate funds to the schools.

Mahila Wednesday, 13 March 2024 03:24 AM

Suhada Malli, Thus evolves True devolution of Power to the People in the Periphery and the "People take Ownership", of the Money used to ensure, Integrity of "Spend" Devoid of Corruption!!!??? Similar to running the Co-op (Cooperative) in each Village, w/o Thieving and robbing, 50 to 65 years ago!! No addition to Public Service and unwanted, Unwarranted 'HANGERS-ON' to Politicians!? Also, I fully agree, that becomes, 'training ground' to the person supplying Nutrients in operating a very Successful SME and Billionaire Businessman! But will never happen, because you would be, “OUTING THE POLITICIAN’S INFLUENCE”!? NO WAY!? That wouldn't "PASS MUSTER"!!??

Bradley Tuesday, 12 March 2024 09:38 AM

Majority are middle-class

Jude Tuesday, 12 March 2024 09:45 AM

Hello, half of the population lives on one meal a day

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 12 March 2024 04:20 PM

But still, every hotel breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets , high teas are full of people eating to their throat. All restaurants are full of people in all parts of the country. Yours is a vote rigging statement invented by NPP and SJB.

Just Another Citizen Tuesday, 12 March 2024 06:17 PM

Statistics?

M Fernando Tuesday, 12 March 2024 10:59 PM

True - but we are only care about those who can afford to go to hotels and restaurants - Not about the people who cannot, and survive on the one-meal. If we satisfy the Hotel/Restaurant Going Crowd who can afford a loaf of bread even if priced at Rs. 1000.00, , no more chance for Aragalaya's or protests. THAT's what we most care about

city Wednesday, 13 March 2024 05:58 AM

jude, did you witness this physically? we listen to the media, NGO's and political parties. up to a certain extent I agree with the authorities. we could always criticise our own country but don't forget UK is also responsible for this status of SL.

sarath Tuesday, 12 March 2024 09:59 AM

Rejecting the report won't change the facts

joshua Tuesday, 12 March 2024 10:14 AM

who cares our rejection???

Nimal Tuesday, 12 March 2024 10:39 AM

One needs not conduct any rigorous surveys to find out the truth that ails the nation. Go to any village in the country and see how children are fed. Who are these government officials to reject the findings of the Lancet? They are nothing but minions in hands of our own version of "Hitler".

johan Tuesday, 12 March 2024 12:40 PM

Sri Lanka will reject and defend everything. They do not correct their faults and rectify

Cherath Tuesday, 12 March 2024 01:41 PM

Yes. Sri Lanka will reject any report that's unfavourable to tourism, right or wrong.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 12 March 2024 01:55 PM

You rejected all the reports of International Finance Agencies when they downgraded Sri Lanka. In the end when the country when bankrupt, these same bastards are now writing books. So keep rejecting until you find a new generation of sick youth and then blame it on something you can find at that time.

Kishan Dissanayake Tuesday, 12 March 2024 02:12 PM

We only accept good studies okay?

Gerry (UK) Tuesday, 12 March 2024 02:43 PM

Is the Lancet report talking about general malnutrition while our health ministry, in an attempt to contradict it, is talking about "severe acute malnutrition (SAM) that should have a lower percentage?

Ranil Tuesday, 12 March 2024 02:49 PM

Now that the Lancet report is rejected, and the country’s greatest milestone met, the health ministry pundits can now follow the Central Bank robbers and currency riggers of the nation by increasing their health ministry salaries, perks, retirement benefits, and self-exempt themselves from VAT or taxes for life.

Kimar Tuesday, 12 March 2024 03:57 PM

Better have a Npp type polls non scientific doctored data to fool.peple to Believe that the country has recovered and the people are doing fabulously well, they get far better nutrition than they got in2019 because their parents have got a windfall with money flowing to their household like a ATM with lowest fu l water, electric prices and lowest cost of living

Sapumal Tuesday, 12 March 2024 04:13 PM

There could be a certain amount of inaccuracies in the report. That does not imply, however, that the entire report came to the incorrect result. Well-informed and concerned citizens might see it as a warning sign and a guide to improved judgment and the implementation of new laws. It will only serve to raise our standard of living. Simply make the most of it.Nothing more. Here, officials are attempting to completely ignore the findings for their personal gain. It resembles taking your own life for honor.

Smh Tuesday, 12 March 2024 04:18 PM

Usual SL arrogance. At least consider the findings before rejecting it.

Nihal S Tuesday, 12 March 2024 04:35 PM

We are good in rejecting reports. This happened a few times under Rajapakse / Gotabaya Government. I recall all the International credit agencies assessments (downgrades) were rejected until we got the economic meltdown. It is easier to reject the reports than trying to fix the problems. Learn from mistakes and move forward.

Mahila Wednesday, 13 March 2024 05:08 AM

Yes, Weerasangili and Gamanpilla wanted an Independent “Local Inquiry” and Summon "Standard and Poor", to explain why they downgraded Credit Rating - because even USD Reserves and Gold was depleted to barest!!?? The beggars never want to face Reality, in their own world, thinking the rest of the world swirls around them!! Imaginary, Illusory State!!??

Terrence K Tuesday, 12 March 2024 04:39 PM

We see in the past and the present when adverse reports are levelled at the authorities about children malnutrition the authorities concerned try to avoid by citing different reasons. The country should not adopt camouflage tactics because as time goes by this would have a deterrent effect on children. As a country we should take corrective steps to ensure we have a healthy population of children who will be an asset for the future.

Mahila Wednesday, 13 March 2024 04:59 AM

How that could be achieved??? When the PRESENT "MUTTS", DON'T WANT anyone in future SURPASSING THEM and happy if they stay IGNORANT!!?? Nitwits!!?? JRJ was absolutely right, when he asserted that 'Sooriya Wewa Camp' (1987/88) should be "OPEN" style, because SL trait is to "Pull down", anyone trying to "climb up" in position, as such none would be able to scale-up the Barbed Fence!!??

Gt Tuesday, 12 March 2024 04:41 PM

We the Sri Lankan people reject the rejection, our gov only lies to save face

Grace Tuesday, 12 March 2024 05:06 PM

Truth hurts.

Grace Tuesday, 12 March 2024 05:16 PM

The report should be rejected outright. Our politicians children and pets are well fed and over weight

Mahila Wednesday, 13 March 2024 05:12 AM

Because they are checked out medically by Vets and mostly consume, "Pet-Food" and Thana kola!!

No other land is so much blessed as ours Tuesday, 12 March 2024 05:18 PM

Please do not confuse with ground situation. Lanka has fertile land, enough water supply and sunshine. What is missing is management. Where is the Minister who is supposed to provide fertilizer and technical know how to farmers? We don't need pills to supplement our kids.

Sokrates Tuesday, 12 March 2024 05:32 PM

@ Nimal. Our new SL “Hitler” can’t even regulate that. Under Hitler, no one went hungry in Germany until the last day of the war. The starvation only began when the occupying powers were responsible for Germany.

Mahila Wednesday, 13 March 2024 04:39 AM

According to wishes and aspirations of Mahanayaka's, and granted thus by DIVINE intervention "The Hitler" was elected and Ordained in Ruwanweliseya, was the Last One in Power – “Former President and "Pangiriwatte Champion" – averse and reluctant to use the colloquial Kalu-Suddhas terminology!!!??? The “present one”, is the "OCCUPYING ONE" - 'IN PLACE OF' or Replacement, Interim, de jure constitutionally – "akin to an Occupying Force" after conclusion of WAR!!!??? Correct timing as per your detailing events in Germany during and Post-war!!?? RW – Timely Man for all seasons!!?? Bestowed Luck!!

Subash Dhanaraj Tuesday, 12 March 2024 06:49 PM

One can only hope that the rejection and denial of data by the Sri Lankans are based on scientific data and ground evidence. These reports have policy and resource allocation implications. These hasten rejections coated with self pride are least helpful in tackling the problem.

Mahila Wednesday, 13 March 2024 04:48 AM

Need good luck immensely?? Illiterate or poorly Educated, Cunning, Non-Intelligent "Mad hatters" claiming to be Know-all's!!?? They take time to realise their 'FOLLY'!!?? GOOFS, who think they are the SMARTEST IN THIS UNIVERSE!! Misfit in administering anything!!??

dinesh Tuesday, 12 March 2024 07:21 PM

how much you reject....fact is fact...

roobarbie Tuesday, 12 March 2024 08:14 PM

Why? is the government ashamed of this exposure. That is the truth: go to the villages and back streets in Colombo and major cities. That is what we see. May be these people at the top places see fat and overfed children in their own circles, they think that is the norm for the country. Blind baskets!

Eri Clau Tuesday, 12 March 2024 10:28 PM

It's hurt when telling the truth. Our officials always reject when truth comes out.

JD Tuesday, 12 March 2024 10:57 PM

Everyone who contributed to this sad state of affairs will bear a curse.

Pathmanaban Tuesday, 12 March 2024 11:32 PM

Obviously they the (Regime) will reject the truth and the findings reported in the British Medical Journal. Because, according to the regime (present and past) none of the poor kids nearly that of 85% of the populace, are not counted as children. Only the children of those with means (mainly money) combined with 5% of the corrupt politicians and their families are considered as children of Sri Lanka. Malnutrition among 85% of the families is considered to be a norm in Sri Lanka since 1948.

Kevin Wednesday, 13 March 2024 02:34 AM

As always Sri Lankan authorities deny facts. Human rights abuses, collapse of healthcare, collapse of law and order, pollution, female genital mutilation, gender based violence, corruption, poverty. You name it, they deny it.

Rex Jarkie Wednesday, 13 March 2024 04:34 AM

IT HURTS WHEN YOUR PRICKED BUT DENY IT ALL'S FINE LET'S THE TIME WILL TELL COMING SOON

Vive James Wednesday, 13 March 2024 09:48 AM

Truth hurts in all affairs Since 1956 Nose dived landed in 2021 Still not learnt

Andrew Silva Wednesday, 13 March 2024 01:49 PM

The politicians stomachs are full and they think every,one else’s stomachs are also full. They can’t understand the difference of full and not full.

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Sri Lanka rejects global report on child malnutrition

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