By Francis Byaruhanga,
Nyamasheke: As the threat of child stunting and malnourishment continues to hit some parts of the country, officials are attributing the causes to unconcerned parents who are not curious enough about feeding their young ones.
Themed HEHE N’IGWINGIRA which translates as NO STUNTING EVER is the government’s initiative implemented through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Child Development Agency and development partners. This is rganized countrywide to improve the health status of children under 5 years among other activities including nutrition, increase the coverage of all population in need of family planning and other preventive and curative interventions.
During the launch event held at Nyamasheke district, some challenges were discussed and sorted out through collaboration with district officials who provided support through community mobilization and implementation of the MCH week.
Assoumpta Ingabire, the Director General for National Child Development Agency said that having the Maternal Health Child launched in Nyamasheke district is a gesture that child stunting is a threat in the area.
She attributed child stunting to parents with little knowledge on how to feed their children.
“A child needs at least to eat six times a day,” she said. Reminded parents of the concern of feeding their children in a proper manner.
“I take this opportunity to urge parents to be curious about the development of children especially when they are still in their wombs.”
“Giving them at least one egg and the jellyfish is advisable. You are near Kivu Lake, therefore you have to fish for them and feed your children so that the your young ones grow healthy,” she underlined.
Engaging activities initiated by officials will help in implementing the goals and fighting against malnutrition.
“Different sectors and officials should come together, especially the private sector and all the others to act responsibly in uprooting stunting,” she added.
The Demographic Health Survey report indicates that child stunting is at 37.7% in Nyamasheke district alone and 33% on a national level.
Residents speak out
Teophille Hakizimana alarmed that weather changes in many areas of the western province are the major cause and calls for government to act accordingly.
“There is a time when the rain falls from morning to evening and it destroys all the seeds we have planted. So we ask the government to introduce income generating projects where we can benefit to relieve us from depending on agriculture.”
He also disclosed that the food items are expensive in Nyamasheke due to transportation costs as a result of poor road network.
“We have no good roads to access basic need from different areas including food and other cooking materials. So they reach us when they are very expensive,” he said.
On another hand, Agnes Nyirangirimana, a resident of Nyamasheke shares the sentiment with officials. She believes the conservative mindset of parents is the main challenge behind the continued stunting.
“Mothers do not want to have a family planning,” she said adding that “their mindset is stuck on the belief that having family planning is equal to killing and against the divine creation.”