The atmosphere at the 100-bed Cottage Hospital in Jawhar is that of desperation. Everywhere you look, gaunt, emaciated children stare back at you. They are all victims of different degrees of malourishment.

According to doctors at the hospital, around 200 to 300 patients visit the hospital on a daily basis for treatment in the outdoor patient department. Additionally, five to six cases of moderately malnourished children are admitted daily to the paediatric ward. However, the number has risen to 24 as of August 4.