AAP flags Gujarat child malnutrition using NFHS-6 data, alleging poor nutrition outcomes despite government schemes and high spending.
The Aam Aadmi Party has raised serious concerns over child malnutrition in Gujarat, citing data from the latest NFHS-6 (National Family Health Survey-6). During a press conference, Gujarat state organizational secretary and chief spokesperson Dr. Karan Barot highlighted alarming indicators of child health in the state and questioned the effectiveness of government welfare schemes.
According to Dr. Barot, the situation reflects a gap between official claims of development and ground realities in child nutrition outcomes.
Key Allegations Raised by AAP Leader Dr. Karan Barot
Dr. Karan Barot stated that:
Around 35% of children under five in Gujarat are not growing in height as per age standards
Nearly 20% of children are underweight
Severe acute malnutrition affects children in both urban (3.8%) and rural (6.3%) areas
Rural regions show significantly worse indicators compared to urban areas
He further claimed that despite multiple government schemes, malnutrition levels remain “deeply concerning.”
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Criticism of Government Welfare Schemes
The AAP leader questioned the effectiveness of several ongoing nutrition programs, including supplementary nutrition and milk distribution schemes, arguing that large public expenditures have not translated into improved child health outcomes.
He alleged that over ₹1,000 crore has been spent in recent years on child nutrition-related programs, yet a significant number of children in Gujarat remain undernourished.
According to him, this raises questions about implementation efficiency and accountability.
Call for Accountability and White Paper
Dr. Barot demanded that the state government issue a white paper on malnutrition and explain why child nutrition indicators remain poor despite extensive spending.
He also called for:
Declaration of malnutrition as a public health emergency
Transparent audit of nutrition schemes
Stronger monitoring systems beyond existing digital tracking tools
Special focus on tribal and rural regions where conditions are reportedly worse
He added that “development claims must match ground realities,” urging the government to respond publicly to the findings.
Government Under Scrutiny Over Nutrition Performance
The press conference also criticized the gap between policy announcements and outcomes. The AAP argued that even with advanced monitoring systems and digital initiatives, malnutrition continues to persist, suggesting systemic inefficiencies.
The remarks come at a time when political debate around health infrastructure and child welfare programs is intensifying in Gujarat.
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