Madhya Pradesh Child Deaths Expose Failures in Last-Mile Healthcare

Thirty-two children died in tribal villages in Madhya Pradesh over a few months.

Some had measles, some had malaria, and some may have had more than one illness.

Poor nutrition and sanitation may have made it easier for children to become very sick.

Some children had not received vaccinations, even though official records suggested coverage was high.

Medical centres were far away, and families often had little transport.

Taking a child for care could also mean losing a day’s pay.

Once the crisis was noticed, medical teams came to villages and helped many people.

The article says health services need to reach families sooner, before a child’s fever becomes dangerous.