KARACHI: 40pc of children suffer from malnourishment: Seminar told...
KARACHI, Sept 8: Malnourishment is registered to be generally prevalent in 40 per cent of all young children across the country. This was stated by the speakers at a two-day training workshop for local doctors, jointly organized by a local NGO “Konpal” and the Paediatrics Department, of the Lyari General Hospital.
Head of the Pediatrics Department, Lyari General Hospital, Prof. Ayesha Mehnaz speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day workshop said that 70 to 80 per cent of children reporting at the paediatrics department of the LGH are suffering from severe malnourishment.
The senior child specialist reminded that the situation may not be categorically identified as child abuse, but is a definite reflection of “neglect” which subtly paves way for abusing any child’s right for quality and dignified existence.
Referring to importance of the two day event, she said it is aimed at updating the knowledge of health care providers who may not only be able to efficiently treat medical conditions but also identify certain cases referred to them.
Around 50 doctors participated in the programme and spoke about their experiences while handing child victims of abuse, reminding that the poverty stricken children are also exposed to difficult conditions that are often accepted as tradition meant to discipline.
There had been no less than 135 cases of physical abuse referred to the Paediatrics Department of the Lyari General Hospital during last two and a half years period, the doctors said.
According to them more than 200 cases of comparatively more serious nature were reported at Civil Hospital during the same period.
They observed with concern that emotional abuse of kids, despite being quite rampant and with severest consequences on entire personality of young victims, is largely overlooked.
Trend to belittle children, using sarcastic remarks or taunting and jeopardizing their self respect were said to be some of the commonest practices causing emotional trauma for child victims.
Dr Ayesha Mehnaz said in Lyari General Hospital only more than 135 cases of child abuse have been registered during last two and a half years and were mostly blunt weapon or firearm injury.
Facilitators of the workshop acknowledged that since child abuse is of multifactorial origin, a multi-disciplinary approach is required to combat the crime.
They said that parents, doctors and teachers being stake-holders need to play their role but regretted that topic of child abuse and its management skill is neither offered or taught at under-graduate level nor at post-graduate level.—APP
