Another tribal infant dies in Attappady, toll reaches 16

Amidst concerns about the ill-health and malnutrition among tribal children, one more infant died in Attappady area here taking the toll to 16, health officials said today.
With the death of a one-day-old boy yesterday, the toll of the infants who have died since January has touched 16 in Attappady, one of the largest tribal settlements in the state.
The infant, born in Pudur village panchayat, was suffering from ailments due to malnutrition and died at a hospital in Thrissur, health officials said.
The underweight child was first admitted to a tribal super specialty hospital here but was later shifted to a Medical College in Thrissur for better medical care, they said.

Last year, a total of 73 children, including newborns, died in Attappady due to malnutrition and other reasons.
Though central and state governments have initiated many relief packages for the well-being of inhabitants here, child deaths are still a major concerns in the region.