CSONA OPTMISTIC OF BEATING RACE AGAINST MALNUTRITION TARGET

By Aamon Butao

Despite facing a race against time, Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance (CSONA)has expressed optimism that malnutrition levels will be reduced by 30% by 2026.

Currently, the malnutrition rate in the country is at 37%.

During the 2021 Nutrition Growth Summit in Japan last December, Malawi committed to reduce all forms of malnutrition by thirty percent by the year 2026.

In an interview with Timveni , CSONA advocacy and programs manager Joseph Gausi said Malawi will achieve the commitment as it is making good strides.

According to Gausi, responsible organizations are rolling out activities to make sure that people are aware of nutrition issues and what they are supposed to do to promote good health especially among children.

He also cited government’s commitment to boost the nutrition sector through the launch of Scaling Up Nutrition initiative by President Lazarus Chakwera last year.

Some of the commitments that Malawi made are: placing nutrition as a key thematic area in the national development agenda and enactment of the food and nutrition bill into law and enforcement by December 2022.

Gausi said despite being hit by natural disasters and COVID 19 pandemic, the country is on the right track.