Malnutrition |
Speaking during the
launch of the fourth Joint Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Review meeting that
will be held in Dodoma for three days, Mr Majaliwa said the money would
help reduce high levels of stunting in the country.
"According to
health experts, the impacts of malnutrition which occurred within 1,000
days after birth are uncontrollable, so, as a country we must tackle the
situation," said the premier.
The prime minister
hinted that the target is to lower the prevailing chronic malnutrition
level from the current 34 per cent to 28 per cent, adding that it is
important as the country leaps towards industrialisation.
Mr Majaliwa also
called on District and Municipal Executive Directors to set aside from
their local income sources Sh1000 for every child under the age of five
in order to improve the nutrition status in their areas.
For her side,
Director for Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center (TFNC) Dr Joyceline
Kaganda said still one third of children's deaths under the age of five
were a result of malnutrition.
Dr Kaganda revealed
that Kigoma , Kagera, Mbeya Geita, Dodoma, Tabora, Ruvuma and Mwanza
are the regions that still have high level of retarded children.
However, UNICEF
country Representative Ms Maniza Zaman said malnutrition in the country
will not be eliminated should key stakeholders fail to learn from the
existing challenges.
Ms Zaman
malnutrition has hit over three million children and that meetings
should come up with apt plans that will help minimize or end the
problem.
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