Africa-Press – Malawi. CHIMPENI—We need to do betterBy Brenda Kayo:
The Ministry of Health has said hospitals in Malawi are losing 35 percent of their expenditure to diseases that could be prevented through proper nutrition.
Health Deputy Minister Noah Chimpeni said this Thursday during the launch of the National Multi- Sector Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2030.
He said the strategic plan had been launched to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.
Chimpeni said, according to the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey, 38 percent of under-five children are stunted in Malawi while 8.7 percent of children between six and 23 months meet the minimum acceptable diet.
He said the survey also reveals that 25 percent of women in Malawi meet the minimum dietary diversity.
“The research has suggested that up to $3,800 per patient could be saved through proper nutrition and prevention efforts. We, as a country, need to do better. This can start from the family to national level,” Chimpeni said.
He said families should consider promoting better eating habits, good food preparation and infant feeding practices among pregnant and lactating mothers.
Chimpeni also implored mothers to consume diverse, nutrient-rich food, seek antenatal care and adopt practices such as backyard gardening and rearing small livestock.
Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Andreas Hartmann, said his country would continue to support the Government of Malawi to end malnutrition by 2030.
“We are working much with organisations that are dealing with issues related to nutrition,” Hartmann said.
The five-year National Multisector Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan was launched under the theme ‘Building a Health and Resilient Future Together’.
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