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Mumbai, July 3 — Newly released government data has highlighted a serious malnutrition crisis among children in Maharashtra, with 30,800 children identified as suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and an additional 1,51,643 children classified with Medium Acute Malnutrition (MAM) as of February 2025. The figures were disclosed by Maharashtra’s Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Aditi Tatkare, in a written reply to the state legislature.
The data, drawn from the government’s Poshan Tracker, covers 4,859,346 children whose weight and height were measured. The findings indicate a worrying trend: malnutrition rates are rising faster in urban areas compared to rural regions.
Key Urban Districts Affected:
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Mumbai Suburb: Of 2,34,896 children screened, 2,887 have SAM and 13,457 have MAM.
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Thane: 844 with SAM and 7,366 with MAM out of 1,85,360 children.
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Nashik: 1,852 with SAM and 8,944 with MAM from 3,05,628 children.
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Pune: 1,666 with SAM and 7,410 with MAM out of 2,98,929 children.
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Dhule: 1,741 with SAM and 6,377 with MAM from 1,41,906 children.
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Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 1,439 with SAM and 6,487 with MAM.
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Nagpur: 1,373 with SAM and 6,715 with MAM.
In response to the crisis, the government reported that 2,17,736 out of 2,21,338 sanctioned posts for anganwadi sevikas and assistants have been filled, with ongoing recruitment for the remaining positions. Additionally, efforts are underway to hire more child development project officers and supervisors to strengthen the state’s nutrition and welfare programs.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on official data and statements provided by the Maharashtra government as reported on July 3, 2025. Figures are subject to updates as new data becomes available. The information is intended for public awareness and should not substitute for professional health or policy advice. For the latest updates and guidance, refer to official government sources.
