Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Mazar-e-Sharif: Abdul Rahman Alfat; The official of Malnutrition Program of Public Health Department of Baghlan Province told AVA: In the first five months of this year, 4,397 children have suffered from malnutrition and 20 have lost their lives.
He said that the incidence of malnutrition has increased in Baghlan this year compared to previous years. Last year, 23 children died; but this year, this number reaches 20 people in the first five months.
Meanwhile, Merajuddin Meraj, the head of the children's department at Pul Khomri provincial hospital, told AVA about the increase in the number of malnourished children in this province and said: Last year, we had 10-15 malnourished patients per month but this year, 50 to 60 children are admitted to the pediatric service every month.
He named the spread of measles and economic problems as the main reason for the increase in malnutrition in Baghlan. He said: This year several waves of measles have spread among children.
This is despite the fact that after the withdrawal of America and the economic sanctions, poverty and unemployment have increased in the country, and according to previously published statistics, one-third of the people of Afghanistan, including 7.3 million children, are facing food shortages.