Court Criticizes Government Over Infant Deaths in Melghat Region

The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concerns regarding the high rates of infant deaths due to malnutrition in Melghat, a tribal-dominated region in Maharashtra. During a hearing on November 12, the Court criticized both the Maharashtra and Union governments for their “extremely casual” approach to addressing this critical issue. A petitioner revealed that from June 2025 to the present, at least 65 infants aged between zero and six months had succumbed to malnutrition in the Amravati District. Additionally, over 220 children were categorized as suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), with a staggering 50% of these children facing a high risk of death without immediate intervention.

As the Court directed officials to submit a detailed action report, it also summoned principal secretaries from various departments, including public health and tribal affairs, to appear on November 24. The hearing revealed a persistent problem: despite three decades of government interventions, infant and maternal mortality rates remain alarmingly high in Melghat, home to the Korku tribal communities.

The underlying causes of malnutrition in this region include inadequate food supply, recurring infections, poor access to healthcare services, and widespread anaemia. According to data from the Amravati Zilla Parishad, the past decade has seen fluctuations in infant mortality rates. In 2023 alone, 140 infants died from April to March, followed by 96 deaths from April 2024 to March 2025. In the last seven months, 61 children have died, underscoring the ongoing crisis.

Officials from the Amravati Zilla Parishad argue that while malnutrition is a significant factor, many recorded deaths are attributed to other health issues such as anaemia, sickle cell disease, pneumonia, and delays in treatment due to poor connectivity. An affidavit submitted to the Court on October 16 indicated that by November 2024, approximately 10,000 children were suffering from malnutrition categorized as SAM, with 1,290 children identified in Dharni Taluka and 788 in Chikhaldara Taluka.

Sanjita Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer of Amravati Zilla Parishad, stated, “We are running a hot food scheme in the Melghat areas, providing eggs and bananas four times a week.” She also emphasized the establishment of village child development centres to monitor SAM cases. Despite these efforts, the petitioner contended that malnutrition significantly contributes to the high mortality rates, as the government struggles to treat illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhoea promptly.

Maharashtra’s Women and Child Welfare Minister, Aditi Tatkare, disclosed data from the Poshan tracker in the Maharashtra Assembly, indicating that the state has 1,82,443 malnourished children, including 30,800 with SAM and 1,51,643 with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Furthermore, the Indian Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai reported that Maharashtra’s child nutrition statistics remain troubling, with 35% of children under five years old classified as stunted, 35% underweight, and 26% wasted.

The challenges contributing to these high rates of malnutrition are multifaceted. Poor infrastructure, including inadequate roads and insufficient electricity supply, further jeopardizes access to healthcare. Experts assert that various government departments operate in silos, leading to inconsistent delivery of nutritional programs and weak coordination of policies.

Tribal activist Bandu Sane highlighted the dire conditions, stating, “The roads are in poor condition and not maintained. Why would anyone work if the government fails to provide basic civic facilities?” The recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals pose additional challenges. Data from the District Health Officer in Amravati indicates that from September 2 to October 10, six healthcare professionals, including paediatricians and obstetricians, were hired, yet several did not complete their tenures.

While Mohapatra acknowledged that salaries and incentives for medical staff have increased, she noted that the challenges persist. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Melghat has improved to 16.5%, compared to Maharashtra’s overall IMR of 15%, according to the Sample Registration System data from 2023.

Cultural factors also play a role, as some members of the tribal community continue to prefer traditional healing methods, which may involve harmful practices. Furthermore, intergenerational malnutrition remains a critical issue, with many women entering pregnancy underweight and anaemic, leading to low-birth-weight infants who are more susceptible to infections.

Experts advocate for a comprehensive approach to eradicating malnutrition and reducing infant deaths. This includes not only providing mid-day meals and food supplies but also establishing a robust healthcare system that supports nutritional needs for both mothers and children. They urge the development of a cadre of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) who can effectively identify malnutrition cases and implement coordinated health and nutrition programs.

In conclusion, addressing the complex issue of infant deaths in Melghat requires collaboration across various government departments, including health, women and child welfare, rural development, and social welfare. A unified effort, combined with a focus on infrastructure and community engagement, is essential to create lasting change in this vulnerable region.