WHO lauds Uganda over nutrition drive
Feb 12, 2015
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country representative, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, has hailed Uganda for scaling up nutrition through a multi-sectoral approach.
By Francis Emorut
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country representative, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, has hailed Uganda for scaling up nutrition through a multi-sectoral approach.
“Uganda has taken up the highest level of tackling nutrition issues using multisectoral approach compared to other African countries,"Alemu said.
Alemu pledged to support Uganda's efforts in combating malnutrition.
Alemu was speaking at the opening of a regional meeting on accelerating nutrition at Lake Victoria Serena Resort in Kampala on Wednesday.
A cross section of WHO delegates attending the launch of the regional meeting on accelerating nutrition implements at Lake Victoria Serena Resort in Kampala on Wednesday February 11, 2015. PHOTO Francis Emorut
Dr. Francesco Branca, the director of Nutrition for health and development at WHO said nutrition is a development issue.
"Without nutrition we can't have human capacity to fuel to development," Branca said.
The director general of health services Dr. Jane Aceng informed the delegates that malnutrition is a major problem World-over and nearly every country experiences a level of either under or over Nutrition.
The major concern in developing countries especially Sub-Saharan Africa has been under - nutrition with the indicator of chronic under nutrition referred to as stunting over 35.6%, Wasting 6.7%, Low-birth Weight 30%.
A cross section of WHO delegates attending the launch of the regional meeting on accelerating nutrition implements at Lake Victoria Serena Resort in Kampala on Wednesday February 11, 2015. PHOTO Francis Emorut
Aceng told participants that Uganda is among the 5 Early scaling up nutrition (SUN) riser countrie's following the 2010 commitment to SUN movement. In 2011 the country developed the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) 2011-16 as a national strategic document to operationalize the SUN initiative, and also serve as the primary guiding document for the Country's response to under-nutrition.
"I am happy to inform you that nutrition activities in the country are now handled in a multi-sectoral approach involving a number of ministries such as; Health, Agriculture, Education, Local Government and others. There are structures for effective coordination of nutrition activities from to the local governments," she stated.
She said within the heath sector nutrition is one of the Uganda Minimum Health Care package (UMHCP) to be offered at all levels of health care service delivery. In addition, the Nutrition specific interventions are supported with good health care practices such as promotion of; hygiene, environmental sanitation, availability of safe drinking water, Use of Insecticide Treated Nets, immunization, ANC visits, delivery in a health facility by qualified personnel, and Post-natal care and Family planning.
She noted in collaboration with WHO Uganda is among the 11 countries scaling up of coverage of evidence-informed and effective nutrition interventions and strengthening of nutrition surveillance.
Aceng appealed to stakeholders to intensify the fight against under nutrition.
The director general of health services Dr. Jane Aceng (in red coat) poses for a group photograph with WHO delegates after the opening of the regional meeting on accelerating nutrition implements at Lake Victoria Serena Resort in Kampala on Wednesday Feb 11, 2015. Photo/ Francis Emorut