SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING FOR UNDERWEIGHT CHILDREN

About 3000 underweight children aged below 5 years have received food aid at 12 health centers in Mohale's Hoek during this month's supplementary feeding programme by World Vision Lesotho 

According to the Field Coordinator at World Vision, Mrs. Likhapha Thetsane, the supplementary feeding programme is intended to reduce hunger among the children and also reduce prevalence of malnutrition by improving and maintaining their nutritional status. 

Each child was provided with 5kg of Unimix as supplementary food, 50kg of maize meal, 5kg pulses and 2.5litres vegetable oil, adding that the programme does not only benefit the under weight children but even their family members.

Mrs. Thetsane said about 14 388 household members benefited from the programme which was done at Nts'ekhe, Mootsinyane, Lithipeng, Morifi, Liphiring, Mohalinyane, Holy Cross, Phamong, Bethel, Nohana, Ha Ts'epo and Mpharane health clinics.

Meanwhile, 894 under weight pregnant women and nursing mothers and TB/AIDS patients under treatment at the same centers also received monthly food ration consisting of maize meal, pulses, vegetable oil and Corn Soya Blend that helps them to gain weight.

24 December 2003