The National Food and Nutrition Commission has revealed that Zambia requires about 1, 360 nutritionists to effectively tackle the high levels of malnutrition.
Commission Chairman Professor Chifumbe Chintu stated that the current low staffing levels at 149 trained staff hampers efforts to fight malnutrition.
Professor Chintu observed that Zambia needs close to 1,400 nutritionists to be spread out across key sectors such as health, agriculture, training institutions, the private sector and NGOs.
“Clearly the current number of nutritionists is far below requirement to effectively address the current nutrition challenges,” Prof Chintu said.
He also observed that the food intake situation among Zambians is still a challenge adding that overall dietary score is 5.6.
“This score measures the diversity of foods consumed by households. A dietary diversity score of between 8-13 is preferred and means that households are eating a variety of foods. The Zambian diet has an over reliance on Maize and not diverse enough to provide all necessary nutrients for healthy and productive lives,” Prof Chintu stated.
Prof Chintu said meat and meat products including eggs and yellow fruits and vegetables are poorly consumed particularly in rural areas.
“More households consume dark green vegetables, fish and fish products were also poorly consumed. This shows that food consumption is poor.”
We needed them 20 years ago.In Sambia, the problem is,those with food over eat it and it gives them the cancers and those who do not have it are starved to death in the land of plenty.
Prof Chintu, you need food first before someone can advise how to eat it. The biggest problem is not lack of nutritionists BUT lack of food. What Zambia needs is food security.
Professor Chintu, during your long career how many scholarships have facilitated for the young ones to become like you (or better)? having studied in Canada upto a high level and working all these years you have the contacts to facilitate the development of a lot of Zambians.
@ observer
you are really an observer and nice question. thats why i say we zambians are all about talk, being what she is in her capacity, she can atleast help influence the govt through the ministry of education and of heath into offering scholarships to people to specifically go and study in that field through her contacts, even just 2 people per year is a good start. seeing that she has both legs in the two ministries and in govt not just saying to ba LT.
In Zambia the destructive mentality and craving to be called quote and unquote The only Zambian such and such or The first and only Zambian with such and such has really been our down fall. I think I would consider myself a failure if I am referred to as the first and only Zambian for example oncologist. Really? In a country of 14 million people?
Let them hire me, I will help in this matter being a Zambian with this cause at heart. We do not need this. Mostly it has to do with the agricultural policy in the country and the economy of the citizens. Food is there, but the policy on Health and Nutrition might not have been implemented effectively, there is need of dedicated officers if possible with good incentives to promote locals to own land and have the market for their goods like food supplies. Let them contact me if they need help.