Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed researchers in the country to conduct study on food and nutrition that will help in the country’s efforts to fight malnutrition and stunted growth.
The Premier made the remarks in Tanga on Thursday during the launch of a five – year National Multi Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan (NMNAP II), aimed at addressing malnutrition in the country, among others.
The launch of the programme was done on the sideline of the 7th Nutrition Stakeholders’ Summit themed “Good Nutrition is Fundamental for Human Capital Development in a Competitive Economy”. The PM recalled that the 2018 Food and Nutrition report in Tanzania noted that high food producing regions were still having high prevalence of malnutrition and stunted growth including Njombe (53.6 per cent) Rukwa (47.9 per cent) Iringa (47.7 per cent) Songea (43.3 per cent) Kigoma (42.3 per cent) Ruvuma (41.0 per cent) and Tanga (31.8 per cent).
“The country has a number of researchers but their study findings are not utilised as required…it is important for research institutions in the country to conduct studies on food and nutrition related issues so as to come up with findings that will help country in its efforts to fight malnutrition and stunted growth,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that, government was aware of the problem and various initiatives have been taken to improve the situation among others prioritising food and nutrition issues, encouraging investors in the area. Mr Majaliwa said the government would take into account all the recommendations raised by food stakeholders during the summit.
“You have appealed to the government to take into considerations two issues which are funds to boost implementation of National Multi Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan II and review of Food and Nutrition Policy which stick on treatment for malnutrition and stunted growth side effects. I want to assure you that the government will work on its part,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Premier has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to further strengthen mother and child health services including offering the services for free with the aim of reducing maternal and under five deaths in the country.
In doing so, Mr Majaliwa noted, the government has been constructing various health facilities which have been equipped with crucial infrastructure in the delivery of the services such as maternal-child care units and operating rooms.
Mr Majaliwa disclosed this while officiating at the annual scientific conference on reproductive health services, child, youth and nutrition convening in Dar es Salaam for three days from November 17-19.
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