The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh asserted that action is being taken by the concerned Ministries to address the problem of malnutrition in the country. Expressing serious concern over the high rate of malnutrition, he called for focussing on districts where malnutrition level is very high.

Two hundred such districts have already been identified. Dr. Singh said that initiation of nation-wide communication campaign against malnutrition is another important area of immediate attention.

Releasing a report on malnutrition and hunger in New Delhi on Tuesday, Dr. Singh termed the problem as a national shame as 42 per cent of the children are still under weight despite high growth rate.

The Prime Minister urged policy makers and those who implement it to shape their responses taking into view all factors to effectively take on this challenge. He said, taking into account the linkages between education and health, sanitation and hygiene and drinking water and nutrition are of great importance to effectively deal with the problem of malnutrition.

Complimenting the Nandi Foundation which conducted the survey to identify the levels of malnutrition, Dr. Singh pointed out that this survey indicates that one child in five, has reached an acceptable healthy weight during the last seven years in 100 focus districts. The Prime Minister said that the survey also brings to the fore that there is 20 per cent decline in malnourishment in the last seven years. Dr. Singh said that the problem of malnutrition can be tackled only through collective efforts.