Filling up deficiency with a different and a right kind of d

The NHRC appears to be in the process of breaking new ground. So far the three-year-old Commission has largely concerned itself with “traditional” aspects like excesses by security forces, torture and deaths in police custody, prison reforms and repeal of draconian laws.

By concerning itself with Health, the Commission might be taking its cue from an activist judiciary. Only recently the Delhi High Court made it clear that it wanted the Delhi administration to take its dengue-fighting job more seriously.

The NHRC’s new concern is bound to be seen as a case of the Commission extending its brief. Critics argue that the matter of iodine and iron deficiency is best left to other, more specialised agencies. And the Commission might be spreading itself too thin by involving itself with issues like the state of the country’s health.

But those in the Commission see it as a valid human rights issue. According to Commission chairman M N Venkatachaliah, the devastating effect of iron and iodine deficiency was essentially a human rights issue affecting future generations.

The Commission feels that insensitivity towards widespread iron and iodine deficiency was “a callous disregard of the right to lead a life in dignity and reasonable health.” A recent NHRC bulletin said: “This is more so when readily available and inexpensive forms of preventive action can remedy the situation.”

The Commission acted on a complaint by Dr N K Kochupillai, who heads the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Seeking prompt action from the Government, it convened a meeting last month attended by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Venkatachaliah assured the meeting that the Commission would make all efforts to get the programmes for removing iron and iodine deficiencies implemented.

He also suggested regular interaction with the Indian Council of Medical Research and setting up of a task force to monitor government programmes.Kochupillai suggested that the Commission should monitor the government programmes to tackle iron and iodine deficiency.

He felt the programmes concentrated merely on distributing folic acid tablets. What was needed however was a strategy involving iron fortification and emphasising traditional dietary habits. He attributed the high infant mortality rate in Uttar Pradesh to very low iron intake by pregnant women.The NHRC has sought more details from the Government on its programmes.