15-Month-Old Girl Dies of Malnutrition in MP Hospital
A 15-month-old girl named Divyanshi died at the district hospital after battling severe malnutrition. What makes the tragedy even more painful is that her family reportedly refused treatment, saying they did not want to spend resources because “she was only a girl.”
Severely Underweight and Critically Ill
At the time of admission, doctors found that Divyanshi weighed just 3.7 kilograms, much lower than the healthy weight for her age. Her hemoglobin level had also dropped to 7.4 g/dL, a dangerously low figure that made survival very difficult.
Health workers had already marked her as malnourished under the state’s Dastak Abhiyan scheme and had urged the family to seek care at the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC). Sadly, their advice was ignored.
A Mother’s Grief and Family’s Refusal
The child’s mother revealed that her in-laws repeatedly refused to take the girl for treatment. “Whenever she fell ill, they used to say, Let her die, she is only a girl,” she said while mourning her daughter’s death.
This reflects the harsh reality of gender bias that still exists in parts of rural India, often making the problem of malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh even worse.
More Cases Emerging Across the State
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Just two days earlier, another girl child in Sheopur district died of malnutrition. Radhika, who was healthy at birth, weighed only 2.5 kilograms at the time of her death after months of gradual weakness.
Similarly, a case from Bhind district also came to light recently, where another girl died with symptoms linked to malnutrition, though doctors differed on the exact cause.
Madhya Pradesh Among the Worst-Hit States
These repeated tragedies underline a grim reality malnutrition in Madhya Pradesh continues to be one of the worst in the country. Despite government schemes and interventions, the lack of awareness, poor access to healthcare, and deep-rooted gender discrimination make the situation even more alarming.
Conclusion
The death of Divyanshi is not just a family’s personal loss, but also a wake-up call for society and the state health system. Tackling malnutrition requires more than just schemes; it needs consistent awareness, equal care for girl children, and stronger community support to prevent such needless deaths in the future.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 19 August 2025
- 09:00
