📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Subhashish Panigrahi
Health
Supreme Court flags tribal child malnutrition deaths as ‘very serious’, issues notice to Centre
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 10 Oct 2026, 02:16 AM
👁 17
The Supreme Court has called the rising deaths of tribal children due to malnutrition a very serious issue and sent a notice to the Union government seeking action.
The Supreme Court of India has formally described the increasing number of deaths among tribal children caused by malnutrition as a "very serious" concern. In a recent order, the Court issued a notice to the Union government, directing it to respond with concrete measures to address the crisis.
The Court’s intervention follows reports from health agencies and NGOs highlighting a disturbing rise in malnutrition-related fatalities in tribal regions across the country. While exact figures were not disclosed in the order, the judiciary emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate remedial action.
The notice requests the Centre to submit a detailed plan outlining steps to improve nutrition, strengthen health infrastructure, and ensure effective implementation of existing welfare schemes for tribal communities. The Supreme Court has also asked the government to report back within a stipulated timeframe.
Government officials have acknowledged the Court’s observation and indicated that a comprehensive review of tribal health programs is underway. They have pledged to prioritize interventions that can curb the mortality trend and improve overall child health outcomes in these vulnerable areas.
The Court’s intervention follows reports from health agencies and NGOs highlighting a disturbing rise in malnutrition-related fatalities in tribal regions across the country. While exact figures were not disclosed in the order, the judiciary emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate remedial action.
The notice requests the Centre to submit a detailed plan outlining steps to improve nutrition, strengthen health infrastructure, and ensure effective implementation of existing welfare schemes for tribal communities. The Supreme Court has also asked the government to report back within a stipulated timeframe.
Government officials have acknowledged the Court’s observation and indicated that a comprehensive review of tribal health programs is underway. They have pledged to prioritize interventions that can curb the mortality trend and improve overall child health outcomes in these vulnerable areas.