By Doreen Chiwalo

Mwanza, February 19, Mana: Implementation of the distribution of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) nutrient supplements to adolescent girls in Mwanza is negatively being affected by myths and misinformation in the district.

This was disclosed by Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance (CSONA), Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC) and Mwanza team lead, Martin Kadaona, on Monday at an interface meeting with Investing in Early Years Project (IEYP) implementation team and communities.

The meeting was aimed at enhancing community engagement in the implementation of the project in the district.

 “We have requested duty bearers to take necessary action to address the knowledge gap so that all the bonafide adolescent girls are reached out to with the supplements so that the objective of the intervention is achieved,” said Kadaona.

He said adolescent girls are prevented by parents and guardians from receiving IFA due to reproductive health related myths and misinformation.

However, Kadaona commended the project for doing well in areas such as promotion of exclusive breast feeding, cooking demonstrations, door to door visitation to enforce responsive parenting and nutrition, among other areas.

Mwanza District Council Director of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Fred Kumwenda, said the Council will enhance awareness activities in the action plan so that the target group is not obstructed from receiving the nutrient supplements.

“We are going to work with relevant stakeholders such as traditional leaders and other relevant community structures to address the problem of myths and misinformation,” said Kumwenda.

The nutrient supplement tablets are given to adolescent girls aged between 10 and 19 for them not to develop iron deficiency in their bodies due to menstrual blood loss.