Govt Asks Health Stakeholders To Chanel Support Towards Malnutrition Fight

Reported by Rachael Julaye

Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has expressed worry over the increased cases of malnutrition that are said to claim many lives of children in the country.

She made the sentiments on Monday this week when she received Pediatric Severe Acute Malnutrition- PEDSAM kits and Anti Malaria drugs from World Health Organization-WHO.

Chiponda says currently 31 children out of every 1000 live births die due to malnutrition but was quick to say that the situation is improving.

“As pointed earlier, the current infant mortality rate for Malawi in 2024 is 31 deaths per 1000 live births and I urge other partners to emulate WHO gesture to save children’s lives already stricken by malnutrition in Malawi,” says Chiponda.

In her Remarks, WHO country representative, Dr Neema Kibambo emphasized their organization’s commitment in addressing challenges the health sector in the country is facing.

”As we navigate through the challenges posed by the lean season, WHO is fully committed to facilitate the swift delivery and utilization of these kits to the designated healthcare facilities across the country,” says Kibambo.

Meanwhile, Health Rights activist Maziko Matemba says the report should be an eye opener to government and relevant authorities to pull up their efforts so as reduce malnutrition in the country.

He however attributes the situation to climate change saying most families are failing to harvest enough food for their families.

“With the current drought the country is facing, many people will not be able to harvest enough food and government needs to put in place measures that will help cover families from the situation to prevent more cases of malnutrition,” said Matemba.

Enclosed within each kit are vital resources aimed at reaching 50 SAM pediatric cases for three months to ensure a sustained effort in combating malnutrition among children in th