By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 23, mana: M’mbelwa District Council nutrition officer Gift Simukonda has said fighting malnutrition and stunted growth in children is a shared responsibility that requires the collaborative role of both state and non-state actors for the fight to be won in the district.

Simukonda was speaking on Tuesday in Mzimba when welcoming International Support and Partnership for Health (ISAPH) into the district.

The Organisation plans to roll out a project in 2024 to fight malnutrition and stunted cases in areas of Traditional Authorities Chindi, Mzikububola, Khosolo and Mabilabo.

The project comes amid high cases of malnutrition and stunted growth in the district which are at 38 percentage against the national prevalence rate of 35.

‘‘Fighting cases of malnutrition and stunted growth should be the role of both NGOs and government hence we would like to take this opportunity to welcome ISAPH into the district. We hope their work in the communities will benefit the district in terms of reducing cases of stunted and malnutrition growth which are at 39 percent,’’ Simukonda said.

He said M’mbelwa district council in collaboration with other partners have intensified efforts aimed at reducing the cases hence asked ISAPH to roll out the project so that they help in fighting stunted growth.

ISAPH Senior Field Coordinator John Banda said the new three year project that is to be implemented from 2024 in some areas of Mzimba   follow the success story of their other project in Manyamula in Mzimba South which has helped reduce stunted growth in children under two years from 37 percent in 2015-2016 to 25.0 percent in 2021.

‘‘We want to replicate the same success story in other areas of Mzimba. Our mission is to help reduce stunted growth in pregnant women, mothers and children under five, especially under two years,’’ said Banda.

Mana/scm