Bill Gates awards India an 'A' for working to solve malnutrition, praises public feeding systems and midday meal program

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, praised India's dedication to solving malnutrition issues, awarding it an "A" for its focus. Gates, in an interview with PTI, commended India's public feeding systems and the Midday Meal System for distributing fortified foods, although he acknowledged the challenge remains substantial.

He contrasted this with India's education sector, suggesting it might rate itself a "B" but with a strong resolve to improve. Gates highlighted India's significant role in addressing malnutrition, noting advancements in understanding the gut microbiome and the impact of essential vitamins and proteins.

On malnutrition's effects, Gates said, "One of the tragedies of malnutrition is measuring how much a kid loses in terms of their physical capabilities and mental capabilities because of malnutrition at a young age." Addressing malnutrition, he noted, has significant benefits, significantly reducing child mortality and boosting long-term physical and mental development.


Gates emphasized India's potential to drive economic growth by reducing malnutrition, stating it could serve as a model for other countries, especially in Africa. He noted India's pioneering work in new approaches like probiotic trials and anaemia treatments funded by the private sector.

Gates also highlighted the rise of domestic philanthropy in India, mentioning contributions from the tech sector and partners like Tata Trusts and Nandan Nilekani. He praised India's role in global health, particularly in vaccine adoption and production, collaborating to make vaccines available to developing nations through Gavi, an organization improving vaccine access.

Finally, Gates remarked on India's resilience during the pandemic, maintaining health spending and leveraging innovations to continue improving health outcomes, including reducing maternal and childhood deaths.

(With inputs from PTI)