The study of the Department of Health Services (DoHS) conducted in 14 districts shows that 1,600 children are mildly malnourished. Among them, 1,000 are from the earthquake-affected villages. Two hundred and eighty-four children are suffering from severe malnutrition in Makwanpur district alone, according to the report. Most of the children suffering from severe malnutrition are from Phaparbari, Kannada, Khairang, Gogane, Bharta and Kalikatar VDCs in the district. Health workers who had visited these villages to collect the data have urged the parents of malnourished children to seek immediate medical help.

Child Health Division of the DoHS informed that around 400 children who are suffering from malnutrition in Makwanpur do not have access to treatment. Only 150 children suffering from severe malnutrition were taken to health posts and hospitals by their parents. Sujaya Bhattacharya, a representative of an NGO working with the DoHS, said the number of malnourished children could be much more. The best way to determine the actual number, he said, is weighing the children. The DoHS finding is based on arms measurement of the children. The DoHS had deployed health workers, volunteers and representatives of partner NGOs to collect the data of malnourished children in 14 earthquake-affected districts. They had surveyed 362,000 children through the door to door campaign. Nepal ranks among one of the worst performers in the global malnutrition index. According to the World Food Programme, 41 per cent of children under five in Nepal are stunted, 29 per cent are underweight and 11 per cent are emaciated.