More than 1.37 lakh children in Maharashtra are still suffering from malnutrition, a matter that has now drawn serious attention from the judiciary. The issue came before the Bombay High Court after a newspaper report highlighted shocking figures related to child and maternal deaths in the state. According to the data placed before the court, 32,226 children below the age of five and 2,861 mothers have died in Maharashtra over the last two-and-a-half years, with malnutrition cited as a major contributing factor.

I am writing about this issue because these numbers are not just statistics, they reflect a deep and continuing public health crisis. Despite multiple welfare schemes and nutrition programmes, thousands of families are still struggling to provide basic nourishment to children and mothers. When such data reaches the High Court, it becomes clear that this is not a routine administrative lapse but a systemic problem that needs urgent attention from policymakers and authorities.

What the Bombay High Court Was Told

The matter came up before the Bombay High Court after taking suo motu cognisance of a media report on malnutrition-related deaths. The court was informed that a significant number of children identified as severely or moderately malnourished are still awaiting effective intervention.

The figures presented shocked the court, especially considering that Maharashtra is one of the country’s economically stronger states with extensive public health infrastructure.

Scale of Child and Maternal Deaths

As per the information highlighted:

• 32,226 children under five years of age died in the last two-and-a-half years
• 2,861 maternal deaths were recorded during the same period
• Malnutrition was cited as a major contributing factor in many cases
• Over 1.37 lakh children are currently identified as malnourished

These numbers point towards gaps in early detection, follow-up treatment, and nutrition delivery systems.

Why Malnutrition Remains a Persistent Problem

Health experts say malnutrition is not caused by lack of food alone. It is often linked to:

• Poverty and food insecurity
• Poor maternal health and anaemia
• Inadequate access to healthcare facilities
• Lack of awareness about nutrition
• Irregular monitoring at the grassroots level

In tribal and rural areas, these problems are even more severe due to connectivity and staffing issues.

Government Schemes and Ground Reality

Maharashtra runs several nutrition and health schemes through anganwadis and public health centres. However, the court was told that implementation remains uneven. In many cases, children identified as malnourished are not followed up properly, and referral systems do not function as intended.

The court has sought explanations from the state authorities on what corrective measures are being taken and how existing programmes are being monitored.

Why This Issue Matters to Everyone

Child malnutrition has long-term consequences that go beyond immediate health risks. It affects physical growth, brain development, learning ability, and future productivity. Maternal malnutrition, on the other hand, increases risks during childbirth and directly impacts newborn health.

When such a large number of deaths are linked to nutrition gaps, it raises serious questions about accountability and policy execution.

What the High Court Expects Next

The High Court has indicated that it will closely monitor the state’s response and action plan. Authorities may be asked to submit detailed reports on:

• Identification and treatment of malnourished children
• Availability of nutrition supplements
• Staffing and monitoring at anganwadi centres
• Steps taken to prevent further deaths

The court’s involvement is expected to push for stricter oversight and faster corrective action.