Malnutrition cases rising in Banke, jeopardizing national goals

December 2, Kathmandu: The number of malnourished children under five is increasing annually in Banke district, raising concerns about the feasibility of Nepal’s national target to achieve zero malnutrition by 2025.

According to the Banke Health Office, the count of identified malnourished children has climbed over the last three fiscal years, reaching 547 in 2024/2025 from 425 in 2023/23. Health officials attribute the rise not to a worsening crisis, but to increased health awareness and proactive community screening, which is now successfully identifying previously hidden cases.

Medical experts cite a lack of adequate nutritious food, particularly protein, among economically weaker and rural families as the primary cause.

While the Bheri Hospital’s Nutrition Rehabilitation Center, the country’s first, offers free treatment to all malnourished children with its 17 beds, authorities note that many families are unaware of this crucial, life-saving service. The growing prevalence of malnutrition in the district suggests a significant challenge in achieving the government’s national nutritional goals.