African countries need to develop strategies to address the problem of malnutrition, which are prevalent among children, says The Food and Nutrition Programme Coordinator.

Mrs. Mofota Shomari said in many African countries, including Lesotho, the effect of malnutrition is indicated through stunting, which is a reduced growth rate in human beings and a primary manifestation of malnutrition in early childhood.

She was speaking on Tuesday at a one-week seminar on Essential Nutrition Actions for Health Workers attended by seven African countries that include, Southern Sudan, Zambia and Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The seminar is held at Victoria hotel in Maseru.

“Inappropriate nutrition also affects the intelligence rate of children, as they cannot think creatively, if they are not given enough balanced food, “she emphasised.

Mrs. Shomari therefore appealed to policy makers to ensure that diet for breastfeeding mothers is improved as they play important role in the upbringing of children.

She added that the newly born babies should be breastfed for a period of six months without supplementing their diet with water and other powdered milks.

In an interview, a Nutritionist from the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe, Ms. Monica Muti expressed the need for health workers to develop effective counseling mechanisms in approaching mothers on essential nutrition.

Sharing same views, a Dietitian from the Health Ministry in Swaziland, Ms. Thandi Kunene said communication is important between health workers and the community to encourage change on nutrition issues.

At the end of the training, participants will visit local clinics and hospitals in the country as part of their practical session. They would also be given an opportunity to interact with the community and impart their acquired skills.

The training has been organised by East Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA) based in Arusha Tanzania.

Source: LENA 27/05/2008