Rwanda is one of the few countries in Africa that has achieved nearly all of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and made significant progress in improving the health and well-being of its people over the past decade.
However, despite significant progress, challenges remain in Rwanda’s health system. For example, according to the 2019-2020 Rwandan Household Survey by the Rwanda National Institute of Statistics, 38 percent of children suffer from chronic malnutrition.
Among districts with high rates of stunting among children under two years of age, Lutsiro district ranks high in the proportion of children under two years of age experiencing stunting during the last two consecutive Maternal and Child Health Week campaigns in May 2022. It’s in 5th place. And June 2023.
To this end, World Vision Rwanda, in collaboration with the government through the Ministry of Health and other partners, launched the nutrition project “Professional Umuganda” in Lutsiro District on 4 April to eliminate malnutrition and stunting among children under five years of age. ” was launched. improve the well-being of them and their families.
Pauline Okumu, World Vision Rwanda’s national director, said the nutrition project aims to combat chronic malnutrition (stunting), which hinders child growth and development, and requires all stakeholders to collaborate. He explained that he was calling for people to take action by making efforts.
“Carry out an assessment to solve malnutrition and stunting in the district. Because despite the high rate of stunting, production, rain, food and everything else is there. We will consider this and strengthen our defense accordingly,” Okumu said.
The National Director emphasized that cooperation is at the heart of World Vision’s mission and called on partners to work together in the fight against malnutrition.
She said: “Without a solid partnership between governments and all our valued partners, our goals will remain unachievable. Let us come together as a force to inspire.”
According to the Lutsiro District Health Department, the main causes of malnutrition and stunting in Lutsiro include poverty, food insecurity, limited social protection interventions (access to milk, lack of fruit trees) and small livestock, insufficient diversity and These include spoiled crops and lack of proper best cleaning. Practice.
Mr. Okumu therefore said that combating malnutrition and stunting in Lutsiro district in the next six months will require increasing caregivers’ knowledge on child feeding and breastfeeding practices, and increasing awareness of family and child meal preparation. He pointed out that interventions such as raising the awareness of caregivers will be needed.
“We will also increase caregivers’ knowledge of WASH practices, rehabilitation of malnourished children, and strong monitoring of child health and welfare services to ensure long-term food security and family well-being. We will improve,” Okumu said.
Western Region Governor Lambert Dusimimana said the development of the country depends entirely on the solutions of a healthy population, noting that if the population is not healthy, it will be a problem for the country.
“In line with this policy, the government has joined efforts to eradicate inadequate feeding and malnutrition among all children under the age of five to avoid high statistics negatively impacting the future of the country. ” he said.
Dusimimana emphasized that while there is still a long way to go as predicted from efforts by the government and partners, there is hope that we will be on the right track based on concrete results obtained each year.
“But we still need a collective effort and we need to track where to invest this effort, as guardians and parents are often inattentive.Awareness campaigns that have not yet been launched also aims to change attitudes towards this issue.”
Dusimimana urged parents, especially expectant mothers, to seek antenatal care to deliver a healthy fetus and improve overall health.
She said all pregnant women receive guidance on proper nutrition throughout their pregnancy, and that healthcare professionals receive regular training to identify problems early and provide the necessary treatment and support to save both mother and baby. He emphasized the need to get tested. .
“I encourage parents and guardians to take care of their children because otherwise it will be a burden to them and to the country,” Dusimimana said.
Lutsiro District Mayor Dativ Kaitesi said that the growth of 0-3 year olds who eat a balanced diet increases by 80 per cent and 90 per cent of young children who eat a balanced diet achieve higher grades in school. He emphasized that this is highly possible.
Between 2010 and 2015, children in Lutsiro district were 45 percent more likely to be stunted. A separate 2019-2020 health report shows a slight decrease to 44.4%.
A major campaign was then launched to reduce stunting by 39%.
“As citizens, we join forces with World Vision Rwanda, UNICEF, faith-based organizations and other communities to support the various organizations working in our district, including medical staff and other partners to end stunting. We launched the “Professional Umuganda” campaign with relevant authorities.
“There are over 180 children in Lutsiro district who do not have a balanced diet.Despite the variety of food available, the problem of lack of a balanced diet continues. and are wondering why this problem is proliferating,” Kaitesi said.
She emphasized that each household faces the problem of lack of clean water, which is one of the causes of poor diet.
“Let me give you the example of Bugalula Island, located in the Western Province, where 2,000 people do not have access to clean water.”
Kaitesi is optimistic that the nutrition campaign, which will be carried out in six blocks in Lutsiro district, will curb many problems, including poverty, which affects 13,500 households.
