Malnutrition in Gujarat: 18 children die at state hospitals in 3 days

Gujarat is ranked 17th among 29 states on infant mortality and 25th by underweight prevalence among under-five children

As national attention was focussed on the death of 18 children over three days in Ahmedabad’s main civil hospital in October 2017, officials said most children were underweight and thus vulnerable.

That defence spotlights the fact that Gujarat–which is ranked second by industries and fifth by per capita income–is ranked 17th among 29 states on infant mortality and 25th by underweight prevalence among under-five children.

Up to 33 infants die per 1,000 live births in Gujarat, compared to Kerala (12), Tamil Nadu (19), Maharashtra (21) and Punjab (23), according to the