{"id":69437,"date":"2024-04-06T14:29:27","date_gmt":"2024-04-06T14:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/world-vision-rutsiro-district-launch-nutrition-programme-to-curb-stunting-in-children"},"modified":"2024-04-06T15:24:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T15:24:42","slug":"world-vision-rutsiro-district-launch-nutrition-programme-to-curb-stunting-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/world-vision-rutsiro-district-launch-nutrition-programme-to-curb-stunting-in-children","title":{"rendered":"World Vision, Rutsiro District launch nutrition programme to curb stunting in children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rwanda is among the few countries in Africa that has achieved nearly all Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and made remarkable strides in improving the health and well-being of its citizens over the past decade.<\/p>\n

However, despite the outstanding advancements, challenges persist in the Rwandan health care system. For instance, 38 percent of children suffer from chronic malnutrition according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda under the Rwanda Households survey, 2019-2020.<\/p>\n

Among districts suffering from high rates of stunting among children of less than two years of age, Rutsiro District stands in the top five places in terms of having children under two years experience stunting during the previous two consecutive maternal and child health week campaigns in May 2022 and June 2023.<\/p>\n

It is for this reason therefore that World Vision Rwanda, alongside the government through the Ministry of Health and other partners launched \u201cProfessional Umuganda\u201d, a nutrition project in Rutsiro District on April 4, to eliminate malnutrition and stunting among children of under-five years and improve their well-being as well as their families\u2019.<\/p>\n

Pauline Okumu, the National Director at World Vision Rwanda explained that the nutrition project aimed to combat chronic malnutrition (stunting) \u2013 which impedes the growth and development of children, and called upon all stakeholders to take action through collective effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe shall implement an assessment to solve malnutrition and stunting in the district because stunting is high yet there is production, rain, food, and everything. We shall look at the status of the current situation and enforce advocacy accordingly,\u201d Okumu stated.<\/p>\n

The National Director called for partners to join forces together in the fight to combat malnutrition emphasizing that collaboration is at the heart of World Vision\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWithout the steadfast partnership of the government and all our valued partners, our goal remains out of reach. Let us unite as a force for change, rallying together to ensure that every child receives the nourishment they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the Rutsiro District health unit, the main causes of malnutrition and stunting in Rutsiro include poverty, food insecurity, limited social protection intervention (milk access, insufficient fruit plants) and small livestock, insufficiently diversified crops, and lack of proper best-WASH practices.<\/p>\n

Therefore, Okumu noted that combating malnutrition and stunting in Rutsiro District in the next six months will require interventions like increasing knowledge of caregivers on child feeding and breastfeeding practices, and raising the awareness of caregivers towards family versus children\u2019s food preparations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe shall also enhance knowledge of caregivers towards WASH practices, rehabilitation of children in malnutrition status and strong monitoring in their health and human services and improve food security in the long term and family wellbeing,\u201d Okumu said.<\/p>\n

Lambert Dushimimana, the Governor of Western Province, noted that national development entirely depends on the solutions from healthy citizens because if they are not healthy, they become a problem to the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is in this line that the government joined the drive to eradicate poor feeding and malnutrition of all children under the age of five to avoid the high statistics from negatively impacting the future of the country,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

Dushimimana highlighted that projections from efforts by the government and partners still show that there is a long way to go, but there is hope regarding the right track based on tangible results obtained annually.<\/p>\n

Lambert Dushimimana, the Governor of Western Province(L) during the launch<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, we still need collective efforts, and need to trace where this effort ought to be invested because in several cases, guardians and parents are careless. The sensitization campaigns yet to be initiated also aim to change attitude on this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dushimimana urged parents, especially pregnant mothers, to receive antenatal care to have healthy unborn babies and improve their general health.<\/p>\n

He emphasized the need for every pregnant woman to be guided on proper nutrition through their whole pregnancy journey as well as do regular checkups to assist healthcare workers detect problems early, to be able to provide necessary treatment and support to save both the mother and the baby.<\/p>\n

\u201cI urge parents and caretakers to care for their children because if they don\u2019t, they will be a burden to them and the country,\u201d Dushimimana said.<\/p>\n

Rutsiro District Mayor Dative Kayitesi highlighted that the growth of zero to three-year-olds who get a balanced diet increased to 80 percent, highlighting that 90 percent of infants who get a balanced diet possess a higher chance to have high grades in school.<\/p>\n

In 2010-2015, Rutsiro District showed a 45 per cent higher chance in stunting of children. Another 2019-2020 health report showed a slight decrease to 44.4 per cent.<\/p>\n

Lambert Dushimimana, the Governor of Western Province(L) and Pauline Okumu, the National Director at World Vision Rwanda (R) officially launch the project in Rutsiro<\/p>\n

A wide campaign was then launched to decrease stunting to 39 per cent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs citizens, we joined forces with World Vision Rwanda, UNICEF, religious groups and other communities to form the \u2018Professional Umuganda\u2019 campaign with different authorities working under our district, including medical staff and other partners to eliminate stunting.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Rutsiro District, we have over 180 children who don\u2019t feed on a balanced diet. Although we have diverse types of foods, we still encounter the challenge of lack of a balanced diet and we wonder why the upsurge of the issue,\u201d Kayitesi stated.<\/p>\n

She highlighted the problem of scarce clean water among households, which is one of the possible reasons for poor diet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI may illustrate an example of Bugarura island located in Western Province, with a population of 2,000 residents without access to clean water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kayitesi is optimistic that the nutrition campaign which will be in six cells of Rutsiro District will curtail many issues including poverty which affects 13,500 families.<\/p>\n

The project aims to eliminate malnutrition and stunting among children of under-five years and improve their well-being as well as their families\u2019<\/p>\n

Through this project, parents will be taught how to give nutritious food for their children<\/p>\n

The newly launched project aims to eliminate malnutrition and stunting among children of under-five years and improve their well-being as well<\/p>\n

Pauline Okumu, the National Director at World Vision Rwanda gives food to children during the launch of Professional Umuganda project in Rutsiro<\/p>\n

Pauline Okumu, the National Director at World Vision Rwanda explained that the nutrition project aimed to combat chronic malnutrition (stunting)<\/p>\n

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