Daltonganj: Seasonal festivals and agricultural work are affecting occupancy at malnutrition treatment centres (MTCs) across Palamu district, health officials said.The district has 55 MTC beds across five centres in Chainpur, Daltonganj, Panki, Bishrampur and Hussainabad. Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastwa said occupancy falls during major festivals and farm seasons.“Occupancy typically drops during festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali, Chhath, Holi and Ram Navami, as well as during sowing and harvesting seasons,” he said.At the 10-bed MTC in Hussainabad sub-divisional hospital, four Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children were undergoing treatment, leaving six beds vacant. At the 15-bed Chainpur centre, four children were admitted and 11 beds were vacant.Hussainabad deputy superintendent Dr Shashi Bhushan said field workers had been asked to identify SAM children and persuade families to admit them. “We regularly ask swasthya sahiyas and anganwadi workers to identify SAM children and persuade families to admit them,” he said.Health officials said treatment, accommodation and food are provided free of cost. Mothers accompanying admitted children receive Rs 150 per day for up to 15 days, following a recent hike from Rs 130. Doctors said weather was not a major deterrent to admissions. They cited low awareness, migration and social beliefs as factors delaying treatment, adding that some families still seek traditional remedies instead of medical care.
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