WFP, Health Ministry to tackle stunted growth, hunger

The World Food Programme and the Ministry of Health in Uganda, have embarked on a three-year campaign to address stunted growth among children.

A WFP study conducted in January revealed that nearly 40 per cent of children under the age of five in Uganda are stunted as a result of chronic hunger and poor diets.

Some districts recorded a high of 45 per cent, according to a joint statement released recently by the two bodies.

Chronic hunger is linked to extreme poverty which affects nearly one-third of Uganda’s 30 million population.

Children therefore, do not get the necessary nutrients especially proteins in their formative years, leading to stunted growth and a compromise on their mental development.

The WFP country director, Stanlake Samkange said, 38 per cent of all children countrywide were too short for their age, or had development and learning problems as a result of poor nutrition.

“This is a major challenge as the condition can permanently damage the minds and futures of children,” said Mr Samkange.

Poor feeding

The study also noted that women were weaning children at a very early age and pregnant women particularly in the southwestern parts of Uganda were not feeding well.

“Despite growing a variety of foods and in large quantities, a lot of people lack adequate knowledge on appropriate nutrition for expectant women and young children,” said Mr Samkange.

He added that life expectancy of people with stunted growth is shorter and that there are high chances their babies will be underweight.

The commissioner for Community Health Anthony Mbonye said: “Uganda’s overall stunting rate in children is unacceptable.”

He added that if the project, which is to be carried out in Bundibugyo district is successful, it would be rolled out in other districts affected by chronic hunger like Kasese, Kisoro, Kanungu and Bushenyi, as well as the Karamoja region that is perennially food-insecure.

He said a major cause of chronic child hunger was introducing infants to complementary foods that lacked the required nutrients for healthy growth, too early.

The Ministry of Health policy is that in the first six months of their life, infants must be breast fed exclusively and thereafter introduced to complementary foods. Meanwhile, the mother continues to breast feed until the child attains the age of two years.

However, the study found that most of the children aged six months to two years, and some younger than six months, were fed on cassava and mashed plantain — foods that do not contain sufficient energy and proteins for healthy growth.

Uganda produces vast amounts of food to make for an appropriate diet, but the high deficiencies among pregnant women and children point to a dysfunctional food distributions system.

Until the UN and humanitarian agencies intervene, the government is often unable to move food from surplus areas to those in dire need.

High food prices as well as the lucrative food export markets around the region — especially in Southern Sudan and Kenya — have added to the challenge.

The WFP is implementing a new strategic policy which besides providing food aid, will also help people gain some measure of food and nutrition security, as Uganda works towards achieving its Millennium Development Goals.