Dedza District Council has been asked to own nutrition programmes amid increasing cases of malnutrition being registered in the District
The call was made during an orientation session for Council members on nutrition issues in Dedza.
The orientation included Traditional leaders from Dedza District with a view to equip them with nutrition information that can later be shared with their Subjects.
According to Lottie Makina, Principal Nutrition and HIV and AIDS Officer (PNHAO) for Dedza, the District’s malnutrition levels have reached 42.8% which is higher than the National prevalence currently at 37%.
He added that, the District is also experiencing a huge increase in the number of overweights.
Makina told MIJ Online that the Situation in Dedza is sad considering that the district grows and produces different types of nutritious food.
“Even though the Situation is this serious, there are a lot of gaps, the District council needs to own the nutrition programmes and start looking at nutrition as a development issue” said Makina.
Makina who further asked the District Council to prioritize nutrition discussions at their meetings also lobbied for increased funding towards nutrition programs.
“We need more resources in fighting malnutrition, let’s start to own these programmes rather than relying on partners” added Makina.
Oxfam Malawi is implementing a Popular Mobilization Campaign project for Increasing resource allocation and accountability towards nutrition Sector in Malawi, a project that is being funded by the GIZ.
Steve Kuliyazi is Oxfam’s Livelihoods Resilience Program Manager and according to him the council members are responsible for decision making hence engaging them to prioritize nutrition issues during their Council discussions.
“On the Traditional leaders, they are closer to the communities and it is our hope that they will help with the nutrition awareness” said Kuliyazi.
And on his part, Isaac Milanzi, Councilor for Dedza North west, katewe ward who is also the District’s Council Chairperson admitted struggling with malnutrition in the District despite having different nutritious food.
However Milanzi, assured the people of Dedza that the funding issues will be presented at the Council meeting for discussions.