There is a common consensus among nutritional experts that a well-balanced diet that is rich in a variety of nutrients is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. However, due to lack of proper knowledge or alternative means to avert the problem several children are victims of the problem.
Speaking recently at the National Food and Nutrition Strategy and Seqota Declaration Expansion Phase 2015 EFY annual performance meeting review, Health Minister, Lia Tadesse (MD) said that despite encouraging achievements of the government to ensure food security, nutrition problems have not yet addressed and it is a national agenda that still requires huge attention.
The Minister said that the implementation of policies, strategies and programs has enabled millions of Ethiopians to ensure food security. Due to this reason, problems related to stunting have declined in Tigray and Amhara regional states since the launching of the Seqota Declaration Expansion in 2020. High level leadership commitment, stakeholder contributions, implementation of innovation, and the community movement, among others, have contributed to the achievement.
The Minister also stated that MoH is implementing an improved declaration in 240 Woredas of all regions using the experience of the Seqota Declaration Expansion. As part of its commitment, the government has also allocated 600 million Birr for the ending fiscal year.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald newspaper, Ministry of Health, Nutrition Coordination, Lead Executive Office, Senior Nutrition Advisor, Birara Melese, said, malnutrition is a condition that occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and other essential components of a healthy diet. Malnutrition also occurs when there is inadequate intake of nutrients, poor absorption of nutrients or increased nutrient requirements due to illness or other factors.
Birara said that, during early childhood, malnutrition could have a particularly significant impact on growth and development. Children who are malnourished may experience stunted growth, which leads to lifelong physical and cognitive deficits and weakens their immune system. Children who are victims of malnutrition have a tendency to be more susceptible to infections and illnesses and their cognitive development might be affected by it. For this reason, they will have difficulty learning and may experience delayed cognitive development.
“Malnutrition has a significant impact on a child’s physical and cognitive development, which can have long-term consequences. Children who suffer from malnutrition are more likely to have lower IQs, lower levels of educational attainment, and reduced earning potential as adults. Malnutrition also has significant economic costs for individuals, families, and the country as a whole and it may lead to an increase in healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and lower economic growth.”
According to him, food security is an important issue. However, it is not enough to ensure nutritious food. Many of the foods that are widely available in Ethiopia are low in essential vitamins and minerals. This may lead to malnutrition. Ethiopia has several opportunities and advantages to avert malnutrition related problems. For instance, using Lemat-tirufat, Green Legacy and other initiatives, the nation can produce more nutritious diets and supplement them with other food items.
Some of the health problems that are resulted from malnutrition require medical treatment. However, access to healthcare is limited in most rural parts of the country. This makes the task of fighting malnutrition more challenging. For this reason, using alternative ways of supplementing food items with a nutritious diet would avert the challenge.
For her part, Balanced Health Nutrition and Dietetics Consultancy Plc. General Director Zelalem Debebe (MD) told The Ethiopian Herald newspaper that Ethiopia has the potential to undo the dearth problem of malnutrition. However, there is a tendency to curb the problem individually, which is unlikely to bring the expected result. According to her, curbing malnutrition demands an active participation of all stakeholders. It demands working with mothers, Health Extension Workers (HEW) and others who have the skill and knowledge to address the problem.
According to her, Health Extension Workers (HEWs) play a critical role in ensuring nutrition at the household level. In many countries, HEWs are community-based health workers who provide basic health services and health education to individuals and families in their communities. They are often the first point of contact for families seeking health services and information.
HEWs can help improve household nutrition in several ways. First, they can provide education and counseling to families on the importance of good nutrition, including the benefits of a balanced diet, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and the role of complementary feeding in ensuring optimal nutrition for infants and young children.
HEWs have the skill and the knowledge to support the community at the grass root level and can play a crucial role in promoting good nutrition and improving health outcomes at the household level. By providing education, counseling, and support, HEWs can help families make informed decisions about their nutrition and health, leading to better health outcomes for all members of the household.
According to National Food and Nutrition Strategy and Seqota Declaration Expansion Phase 2015 EFY annual performance report of this year Ethiopia has made significant progress in improving food security in recent years, the country still faces significant challenges in addressing malnutrition.
The report confirms malnutrition is getting a serious problem in Ethiopia, with high rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children. Malnutrition is a violation of human rights, particularly the right to food and the right to health. Addressing malnutrition is not only a moral imperative but also a legal obligation under international law.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 11 JULY 2023
