NEWS – A recent study by Ensuring Social Protection evaluated 315 anganwadis across five districts in Karnataka: Bengaluru Urban, Haveri, Raichur, Uttara Kannada, and Vijayapura. The study, conducted between March 5 and April 5, aimed to assess the infrastructure facilities, including toilets and water supply, and the effectiveness of schemes run through these centres.

KEY FINDINGS

1. Toilet Facilities
   • Functional Toilets with Water Supply: Only 46% of anganwadis had functional toilets with regular water supply.
   • Functional Toilets without Water Supply: 21% of anganwadis had functional toilets but without a water supply.
   • No Functional Toilets: 33% of the centres lacked functional toilets altogether.
2. Water Supply and Filtration
   • Functional Water Filters: Only 18.7% of anganwadis had functional water filters for drinking water.
   • Sources of Drinking Water:
     • Public Water Supply: 64.5% of the centres relied on public water supply.
     • Public Water Filters: 22.3% used public water filters.
     • Home Supply: In three centres (two in Uttara Kannada and one in Vijayapura), children brought drinking water from their homes.

3. Geographical Disparities
   • Bengaluru Urban: All centres had functional toilets with water supply.
   • Uttara Kannada: 35 centres had functional toilets with water supply.
   • Vijayapura: No functional toilets were found.
   • Bengaluru Urban and Uttara Kannada: Demonstrated relatively better infrastructure compared to other districts.
   • Vijayapura: Lagged significantly, lacking functional toilets and water filtration systems.
4. Supplementary Programs
   • The study also assessed supplementary nutrition programs, pre-school education, growth monitoring, and management of malnutrition.
   • Comparison was made with the ‘Poshan Tracker’, a Union government mobile-based nutrition surveillance system.

ANALYSIS

1. Infrastructure Deficiencies
   • The findings reveal significant infrastructure challenges within the anganwadi system, particularly regarding sanitation and water facilities.
   • The lack of functional toilets and water filters compromises hygiene and health, affecting the effectiveness of supplementary nutrition programs and overall child welfare.
2. Geographical Disparities
   • There is a stark contrast in infrastructure between districts, indicating uneven resource allocation and support.
   • Bengaluru Urban and Uttara Kannada show relatively better facilities, while districts like Vijayapura are struggling, suggesting a need for targeted interventions.
3. Impact on Child Welfare
   • Inadequate sanitation and water supply can impact the health and well-being of children, potentially leading to increased incidences of waterborne diseases and malnutrition.
   • The reliance on public water supply and filters, and in some cases, home supply, highlights a gap in ensuring consistent and safe drinking water at all anganwadis.
4. Policy Implications
   • The study underscores the need for improved infrastructure and more equitable distribution of resources across districts.
   • Enhanced monitoring and support for anganwadis, particularly in under-resourced areas, are crucial to ensure that all centres meet basic hygiene and health standards.
5. Recommendations
   • Infrastructure Improvement: Upgrade toilet facilities and ensure a reliable water supply and filtration system at all anganwadis.
   • Focused Support: Provide targeted support to districts like Vijayapura to address specific deficiencies and improve infrastructure.
   • Enhanced Monitoring: Strengthen the monitoring of sanitation and water facilities as part of broader health and nutrition programs.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights critical gaps in infrastructure at anganwadis, particularly concerning sanitation and water supply. Addressing these issues is essential for improving the effectiveness of health and nutrition programs and ensuring better outcomes for children in Karnataka.