Mrs. Museveni appeals for nutrition extension workers
Feb 19, 2009
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has urged the Government to deploy nutrition extension workers in villages to fight malnutrition.
By Anne Mugisa and Milton Olupot
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has urged the Government to deploy nutrition extension workers in villages to fight malnutrition.
Mrs. Museveni, the new state minister for Karamoja affairs, said ignorance on proper nutrition was responsible for stunted growth in children and sickness in mothers.
“A major factor is the low level of knowledge and education among our populations. Even when there is plenty of food in the households, quite often the adults will not know how to feed their families with the right foods,†she lamented.
The First Lady was yesterday opening the Uganda Nutrition Congress 2009 which has attracted about 300 nutrition and health professionals and practitioners from 19 African countries.
The summit, aimed at examining Africa’s nutritional needs and challenges, is taking place at the Commonwealth Resort in Munyonyo.
She called for emphasis on women’s education to ensure that proper nutrition knowledge is passed on to children.
She said the country would not realise the UN millennium development goals if the issue of nutrition was not addressed.
Mrs. Museveni also called for appropriate legislation regarding property inheritance for women.
Outgoing primary health minister Dr. Emmanuel Otaala said malnutrition was increasing in Africa, with the hardest hit being widows, children, orphans, mothers and those infected with HIV/AIDS.
He said an average of 40% of Ugandan children were stunted and 60% of children under five were malnourished.
“These children can never live to their full potential and cannot compete favourably internationally,†Otaala said.
He said the Government was making a five-year development plan to address nutrition.
Prof. Joyce Kikafunda, the president of the Uganda Action for Nutrition, said Uganda had problems of two extremes; malnutrition and over-nutrition.
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has urged the Government to deploy nutrition extension workers in villages to fight malnutrition.
Mrs. Museveni, the new state minister for Karamoja affairs, said ignorance on proper nutrition was responsible for stunted growth in children and sickness in mothers.
“A major factor is the low level of knowledge and education among our populations. Even when there is plenty of food in the households, quite often the adults will not know how to feed their families with the right foods,†she lamented.
The First Lady was yesterday opening the Uganda Nutrition Congress 2009 which has attracted about 300 nutrition and health professionals and practitioners from 19 African countries.
The summit, aimed at examining Africa’s nutritional needs and challenges, is taking place at the Commonwealth Resort in Munyonyo.
She called for emphasis on women’s education to ensure that proper nutrition knowledge is passed on to children.
She said the country would not realise the UN millennium development goals if the issue of nutrition was not addressed.
Mrs. Museveni also called for appropriate legislation regarding property inheritance for women.
Outgoing primary health minister Dr. Emmanuel Otaala said malnutrition was increasing in Africa, with the hardest hit being widows, children, orphans, mothers and those infected with HIV/AIDS.
He said an average of 40% of Ugandan children were stunted and 60% of children under five were malnourished.
“These children can never live to their full potential and cannot compete favourably internationally,†Otaala said.
He said the Government was making a five-year development plan to address nutrition.
Prof. Joyce Kikafunda, the president of the Uganda Action for Nutrition, said Uganda had problems of two extremes; malnutrition and over-nutrition.