Hyderabad: The government appointed commission of inquiry on the socio economic and educational status of Muslims in Telangana has found that health outcomes among Muslim kids were better than that of other groups.
The commission noted that this is primarily because of better treatment of the girl child, which means a lower infant mortality rate, lower maternal mortality rate and better nutritional levels.
However, these early advantages get dissipated when adult health is analysed.
Poor access to health facilities, poverty, and slum-like living conditions are the cause of anaemia among pregnant women, which is higher among Muslims (66 per cent) compared to Hindus (62 per cent), and Christians (49.6 per cent).
The inquiry also revealed that Muslim males living in Warangal, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Khammam districts have a higher rate of anaemia than other groups. Similarly, Muslim women living in Khammam, Karim-nagar, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Adilabad have higher rates of anaemia. A majority of Muslims live in the districts of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy and are anaemic.
The study found that Muslim women are more aware of FP than others. Among children, the level of wasting, stunting and malnutrition are lower among Muslims. Muslims prefer government hospitals over private healthcare providers. More Muslim males suffer from high blood sugar than other groups.
The commission recommended that the government hire more Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) from Muslims, and said proper interventions are required to reduce the incidence of anaemia among everyone, particularly Muslims.
The commission also recommended that the Rashtriya Swasthya Beema Yojana (RSBY), which provides insurance cover for those below the poverty line in the unorganised sector, be extended in both rural and urban areas.
Proper monitoring of vaccination programmes in Muslim areas and improvement of public health facilities by setting up more sub-centres and hospitals in Muslim-dominated localities is necessary, the commission told the government.
