Year-old Jaya Jadhav falls under the Grade IV of malnourishment. A resident of Kirat hamlet in Palghar taluka of Thane, Jaya weighed only 4.159 kg when she was admitted to the Somta health care centre on December 24. Her weight has marginally increased by 99 gm. Doctors say soon she would fall under Grade III as the prescribed weight increase for her in the programme is 1.850 kg.

“The diet at the centre includes food items which we really cannot afford. His (Hritik’s) weight has increased after the admission to the centre,” said Hritik’s mother Sunita. The Chavans, who are from the Warli tribe, work as labourers at farms and brick makers. “Jaya’s weight has been increasing slowly and she is much better now,” her mother said.

Like Hritik and Jaya, over 351 malnourished children have been admitted across 33 health care centres in Thane district under ICDS.

“Under the scheme, the children are given medicines for de-worming and curbing anaemia,” said Dr P N Bodke, in charge of one of the centres in Vasai. “Apart from it, a monitored diet comprising vegetables, eggs, fruits and potatoes is also provided to the children,” Bodke said.

The number of cases falling under Grade III and IV of malnourishment has decreased from 1,569 in 2006 to 625 till November 2007. According to the Thane Zilla Parishad, some 546 kids fall under Grade III while 79 fall under Grade IV and the tribal taluka of Jawhar tops the list of malnourished children.

“Our aim is to at least reduce the figure of malnourished kids by 50 per cent. For the rest of the 50 per cent, we are expecting some improvement in their malnourishment grades,” said Subhash Hajare, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Thane Zilla Parishad.

“We had been topping the malnourishment list in the state. But over the years, the rate has come down gradually. This year, we want to bring the rate down further,” said Hajare.

The centres were opened for 21 days on December 24 with the kids getting prescribed diet and medication. “We also have accommodation and dining facilities for parents. So they need not worry about that even. Apart from it, we are also giving an allowance of Rs 40 per day to parents to avoid financial loss,” Hajare said.

On January 21, a fresh batch of malnourished kids in the state will be admitted to these centres.