By Priscilla Phiri

Lilongwe, July 18, Mana: Deputy Director for the Department of Nutrition in the Ministry of Health, Kondwani Mpeniuwawa, says about 34 percent of children in Malawi are malnourished, hence called for consumption of animal source foods.

He said this on Thursday, during a learning event on Animal Source Food, organised by GIZ that took place at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

Mpeniuwawa said most households in Malawi have normalised consuming plant based foods as a primary source of nutrients.

“As a country we promote eating from the six food groups and most of the food consumed in this country is not animal source foods, so through this event Malawians will learn the relevance of having animal source food in their diet as well as what we can do to have enough animal source foods,” he said.

He urged farmers and households in rural areas to continue rearing livestock that can be used for consumption at household level at any point of time to balance their diet.

“We are urging all households to rear chickens and rabbits as that will make animal source foods available, more especially to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers to prevent malnutrition,” he said.

Mpeniuwawa, also revealed that 34% of the children in Malawi are experiencing malnutrition related problems, according to research, and that as a Ministry efforts to promote nutrition are being put in place to manage the situation.

“As a Ministry we are promoting good feeding practices especially for the under two children as stunting happens in the first two years of life, and we are also promoting adequate nutrition for lactating mothers, and pregnant women,” he said.

He further commended GIZ for organising the learning event as well as implementing the Food and Nutrition Security Programme (FNSP) in the country as it is in line with the country’s health agenda for Malawi’s 2063 vision.

Team leader for FNSP, Dr Martina Kress emphasised on the need to attain the programme objectives which has been under implementation for about 10 years in the country with support from GIZ.

He hailed the cordial working relationship that has existed with different government agencies and institutions over the years of the project implementation.

GIZ has been implementing the Food and Nutrition Security Programme in Dedza and Salima with funding from the German Development Cooperation.