adminSukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu Plumtree Correspondent
ABOUT 33 percent of children below five years in Matabeleland South Province are suffering from malnutrition because of the prevailing food shortage caused by recurrent droughts.
Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director, Dr Brian Maponga, said malnutrition was most prevalent in rural areas.
“Malnutrition is a major concern for the province because we have the highest number of malnourished children. Thirty-three percent of children who are below the age of five years are stunted because of malnutrition as they don’t have access to proper food.
“This has disturbed children’s performance and attendance in school. It has also disturbed the growth and development of children both physically and psychologically,’’ he said.
Dr Maponga also noted that rural health centres in the province were unable to provide women housed at waiting mothers’ shelters with food.
He said expecting mothers were expected to bring their own food from their homes, but some were failing to do so.
“There are partners who are making efforts of implementing food aid programmes for expecting mothers in various districts. However, despite this intervention a lot of areas haven’t been reached and we appeal for more partners to come forth with assistance,’’ he said.
Dr Maponga said cases of teenage pregnancies remained prevalent at 30 percent of deliveries recorded at health institutions.
He said teenage pregnancies were three times higher in rural areas than in urban areas within Matabeleland South.
He said this means that more teenagers were dropping out of school because of pregnancies.
Chief Bango of Mangwe District said children and the elderly were the worst affected by food shortages.
He also raised concern over teenage pregnancies and said they were high among children who were left under the custody of relatives while they parents worked outside the country.
Online Reporter