A free glass of milk and an egg - heavenly gifts to schoolchildren

Dr Mathu H LIYANAGE

It is great and adorable too for the government to give school-going children a free glass of milk and an egg during their recess to reduce the impact of malnutrition now prevalent among children, who would be the masters of tomorrow, to enhance and strengthen their immune system, and be able to complete their studies most successfully and become productive and healthy citizens.

It is, no doubt, paradoxical that, in a country that experiences no significant food shortages and provides extensive free maternal and child health services throughout the country, malnutrition affects nearly one-third of children and one-fourth of women, according to UNICEF sources.

This may perhaps be attributed to inadequate dietary intake to knowledge, and cultural and religious attitudes towards the use of health services and certain items of available food. Malnutrition is considered as the main factor that prevents reaching the full potential for growth and development of humans.

It is an accepted fact that a hungry mind cannot concentrate and a hungry body loses energy.

Weak immune system

Children who are suffering from malnutrition become vulnerable to disease as a result of a weak immune system that is hardly strong enough to fight back common diseases such as measles and diarrhoea.

It is reported that, worldwide, almost 11 million children die before they reach the age of five and more than half die because of malnutrition.

Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.

Protein-energy malnutrition and micro-nutrient (vitamins and minerals) deficiencies are the two types of malnutrition. Lack of protein and food which provides energy is the main issue that often arises in deliberations when world hunger is discussed. Lack of calories and protein needed for the development and maintenance of muscles is considered as a lethal form of malnutrition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one out of three people in developing countries are affected by vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Developing countries

Lack of Vitamin A causes night blindness and body's resistance to disease and iron deficiency anaemia, and iodine deficiency affects mental health, leading to mental retardation. The food values of cow's milk and eggs cannot be overemphasised as they count for the overall growth and development of humans especially at a younger age.

Milk is the richest source of calcium which helps build strong bones and healthy teeth. Milk is also naturally packed with essential vitamins like A B2 B3 B6 B12 D E K and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and selenium.

The main types of milk proteins are the casein and the whey proteins. They make up to 80 percent and 20 percent of the protein content of cow's milk respectively.

An egg is said to contain Vitamins A B (especially b12) D E K, and minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Though belated as a result of the calamitous situation in the country over 30 years of civil strife, the government has to be complimented for the introduction of these healthy, health measures to improve the lot of school-going children.

These measures will also be of tremendous benefit to cattle and poultry farmers ensuring them a strong and solid market and also to the allied subsidiary industries connected with these farming activities.