Zooming in on Kunene hunger

Citizen Naha Angula Malnutrition-related deaths and hospitalisation of undernourished citizens in the Kunene Region demonstrate the seriousness of food and nutrition insecurity in our country. On Friday, June 21 2013, Namibian Sun reported that 53 people were admitted to hospitals in the Kunene Region for malnutrition-related illnesses. Eight children are said to have died so far because of malnutrition. On Monday, June 24 2013, the New Era newspaper reported more cases of malnutrition in hospitals across the Kunene Region. This state of affairs is disturbing but not entirely unexpected. Malnutrition in Namibia has been exacerbated by recurrent crop failures and droughts. What is being experienced in the Kunene Region may just be the tip of the iceberg. Malnutrition should, therefore, be regarded as an emergency in the country. There are a number of regions in our country where poverty, combined with low literacy and high teenage pregnancy rates, have created high levels of malnutrition. These factors are further exacerbated by alcohol abuse and HIV infections. Such regions record above-average malnutrition rates. These regions include Kavango, with a malnutrition rate of 40% among children under the age of five years. Ohangwena and Oshikoto have recorded malnutrition rates of 34% and 32% respectively. Karas and Hardap have a 30% malnutrition prevalence rate. Omusati and Oshana recorded malnutrition among 28% of children below the age of five. These findings were detailed in the Namibia Demographic Health Survey of 2006/07. The survey indicated that 29% of children under the age of five were too short for their age, or stunted. The report further stated that 17% of under-fives were underweight for their age. Moreover, 8% of the infants were wasted, meaning they were underweight for their height. Stunting, low weight and wastage are measures of malnutrition. Malnutrition not only affects children but also pregnant women, the elderly and those who are chronically ill. One can safely guess that the majority of those reportedly admitted to hospitals in the Kunene Region are children, women or the elderly. It is vital, therefore, that more attention is paid to the nutritional needs of these categories of people during times of food insecurity. Nutritional deficiency is not just a consequence of the unavailability of food. The condition is aggravated by limited access to a diverse diet which is rich in micronutrients. The micronutrients include Vitamin A, iron, zinc, folic acid and iodine. This means that suppliers of drought relief rations should be required to fortify such rations with these micro-nutrients. In particular, table salt should be iodised and maize meal should be fortified at least with vitamin A. In addition to fortification, supplementary and therapeutic feeding should be introduced in cases of severe acute malnutrition. Supplementary feeding should target pregnant women and lactating mothers. At the same time special attention should be paid to babies. The first one thousand days in a baby's life are critical to its growth and mental development. During times of food insecurity breastfeeding is the best way to promote baby nutrition. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is crucial. Promotion of appropriate maternal, infant and child care practices in our communities should be scaled up. At a time of food insecurity community awareness campaigns should be launched by social workers and extension offers to encourage households who live near water sources to cultivate vegetable gardens. For example, there is no good reason why the Kavango and Caprivi regions should have children suffering from malnutrition when most people in these regions live along rivers. Community mobilisation should form part of food and nutrition security campaigns. The Namibia Alliance for Improved Nutrition (NAFIN) is finalising a multi-sectoral nutrition plan. Mechanisms would be established at national, regional and community level to coordinate nutrition programmes. In addition, healthcare workers and agricultural and sanitation extension officers will receive extra training. Given the recent global interest in food and nutrition security, NAFIN is confident of mobilising the necessary political will and financial support to be able to implement the multi-sectoral nutrition plan. The stories of children dying from hunger and people admitted to hospitals for malnutrition-related illnesses are disturbing and shameful. Namibia exports fish and meat to other countries. It is, therefore, unacceptable that our citizens are dying of hunger. We are each other's keepers. It is imperative therefore that as a nation we should implement a decisive strategy to make malnutrition history. NAFIN is ready to make its contribution. (Our regular column on this space, Mubita's Anecdote, will resume next Friday.)