Amid concerning rise over child and maternal deaths, the Bombay High Court (HC) summoned the Collector of Nandurbar district.
This development came after the it came to light that since January 2022 around 400 persons, including 86 children, had died in Nandurbar due to malnutrition and inadequate medical facilities.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice M S Karnik was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations filed in 2006 highlighting the high number of deaths of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers due to malnutrition in Melghat region of Maharashtra.
The petition submitted mentioned that the area doesn't have proper roads which exacerbates the problem of access to medical care.
Despite directing the collector of Nandurbar to file an affidavit on this last month, no affidavit had been filed. In view of this, court requires the collector of Nandurbar to remain personally present before this court on September 23, the bench directed.
The court also noted it was not satisfied with the steps and measures proposed to be taken by the Maharashtra government to address the issues being faced by the tribal population in Melghat region.
Bandu Sane, tribal rights activist and intervener in the matter, submitted a report regarding the poor health of children and maternal health in the district before the court.
The report was prepared by study group with the purpose of assisting the government in formulating policies for the development of tribal areas.
It also stated that the majority of the conditions causing deaths are preventable or easily treatable. However, health programs haven't been properly implemented in the area resulting in increased child deaths.
The report further noted the lack of adequate medical facilities and shortage of doctors and other health care staff. The floating boat hospitals and ambulances are quite old and lack proper maintenance.
Besides, it also provides some recommendations to combat the issue.