Government ups efforts against malnutrition, stunted growth among children

The government of Rwanda has pledged to support efforts directed towards addressing the challenge of malnutrition among 38% of Rwanda’s children under five years.

It was revealed recently at the Hotels of Milles Collines by the premier, Anastase Murekezi during inception of the project dubbed ‘Gikuriro’ aimed at eradicating malnutrition and stunted growth among children. The project is expected to last five years costing almost Rwf 15 billion.

Murekezi said that Rwanda has progressed in fighting malnutrition through various policies implemented by the Rwandan government and pledged that the government will provide any cost required to eradicate hunger.

“The government of Rwanda has risen to the occasion against stunted growth and malnutrition and committed to provide required costs to address the challenge,” he said.

Children facing malnutrition stand at 38%,with 2% with of them faced with extreme emaciation while 9% are faced with weight loss.

Murekezi revealed that the government of Rwanda supports the project ‘Gikuriro’ since it feeds into the country’s efforts to combat malnutrition among pregnant mothers and children in general.

He said that malnutrition reduces 3% of national economic production.

The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho said that Rwanda targets to reduce the rate of malnutrition by 18% in 2018 .She added that Rwanda is putting in much effort to further reduce the percentage since becoming a middle income economy a country is supposed to have at least 15% malnutrition cases.

Binagwaho says that more remains to be done, assessing whether beneficiaries of Girinka cows don’t sell them, whether children get milk among others.

Gikuriro project was funded by USAID, CRS and SNV among others.

American ambassador in Rwanda, Barks Ruggles noted that they will keep supporting Rwanda in various programs including fighting malnutrition.

The deputy director of Gikuriro project, Umurungi Yvonne said that the project will operate in eight districts putting emphasis on combating malnutrition among pregnant women and children below five years.

The project will be in respective districts of Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Ruhango Nyanza and Nyabihu.

Rwanda has reduced malnutrition cases from 51% to 38% over the past 10 years.