Government says it remains committed to fighting malnutrition in Zambia and that it would come up with various interventions and initiatives to arrest the problem.
The Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Peter Mwaba said one of the measures that the government has undertaken to improve nutrition in the country is the launch of the first 1,000 Most Critical Days (MCD) Programme in April last year.
Dr. Mwaba said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Health, Mother and Child Director, Caroline Phiri at the official opening of the Regional Training in In-Patient Management of Acute Malnutrition in Regular Health Services and Emergencies held in Lusaka today.
Dr. Mwaba explained that the 1,000 MDC programme is aimed at operationalizing the first strategic direction of the National Food and Nutrition Strategy that prioritises efforts to strengthen and expand interventions aimed at preventing stunting in children who are under the age of two years.
He added that tackling the challenge of malnutrition in Zambia requires coordinated and concerted efforts from different stakeholders to invest significantly in better nutrition.
The PS stated that the regional training workshop will heighten efforts by many stakeholders to eradicate malnutrition in all its forms by equipping medical personnel with skills and knowledge needed to tackle malnutrition in the country.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mwaba further revealed that government has also constituted a committee of Permanent Secretaries from five different Ministries chaired by the Deputy Secretary to Cabinet to look into issues of nutrition in the country.
He said the committee comprises Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Local government, Community Development and Social welfare, and the Ministry of Health.
And speaking earlier at the same occasion, World Health Organisation Representative, Jacob Mufunda praised the Zambian government for organizing the training workshop which he said will help to impart knowledge in participants on the best way to curbing malnutrition.
Dr. Mufunda said his organization will continue to support government’s programmes and efforts to fight malnutrition in Zambia.
We have committed ourselves to alleviating poverty, malnutrition and other ills for as long as we have had jobs but have done zilch or next to it forever. Get up, get a life and do something with your hands. Enough of this running of mouths and reading prepared speeches already.
HOW EXACTLY IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO DO THAT WITH PRICES OF FOOD GOING UP ALL THE TIME?