Malnutrition Deaths Worry Balaka Authorities Demographic Health Survey of 2015 - 2016 showed that stuntedness rate for Balaka was at 33 percent - internet pic
A rise in deaths from severe malnutrition in Balaka district during the first quarter of the year has worried authorities calling for concerted efforts to address the problem.
Balaka Principal Nutrition and HIV/Aids Officer, Lucious Njobvu, says nine under 5 children died of severe malnutrition between January and March this year, higher than one child who died same period last year 2020.
Njobvu says food insecurity and shifting all efforts to Covid 19 pandemic neglecting other health challenges are some of the factors contributing to the increase.