Anti-malnutrition drive taken to Karongi District

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (Minagri) has intensified the drive against malnutrition in Karongi District.The drive, part of the 1,000-day campaign against malnutrition, took place in Rubengera Sector over the weekend. It is dedicated to promoting adequate nutrition from the first day of pregnancy until a newborn reaches two years old.The activities included teaching local residents how to make kitchen gardens as well as planting vegetables and fruits.Ernest Ruzindaza, the Permanent Secretary in Minagri said the objective of the campaign is to improve maternal and child health, mainly focusing on lactating mothers.“The objective of this campaign is to ensure a healthy population,” Ruzindaza told Karongi residents. He said a family with malnutrition cases becomes a burden to the community and nation.Ruzindaza also noted that the main issue is not lack of food, but ignorance on how to prepare rich and nutritious food in homes.“Malnutrition is a war we must fight and win,” Ruzindaza said, urging Karongi residents to regularly consume milk, vegetables and other nutritious foodstuffs.Bernard Kayumba, the Mayor of Karongi District, urged the residents to put the fight against malnutrition in their daily plans.Though malnutrition in Karongi is not alarming, the mayor said, the district will intensify efforts to eradicate all malnutrition cases.Kayumba disclosed that they plan to distribute 10,000 pigs to needy people in the next three years so that they can improve their living conditions.As part of the campaign, beneficiaries of the Girinka programme also passed on calves to their neighbours in a bid to give them access to milk.The campaign was officially launched by the Prime Minister, Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, in September this year in Gakenke District.A recent survey by the Ministry of Education revealed that 45% of children under two years are facing malnutrition.Minagri took over the campaign this month, after the first two months were spearheaded by the Ministry of Health.Other ministries involved include; Ministry of Family and Gender Promotion, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Local Government, among other institutions. The 1000-day drive is expected to end in October 2016.

National

Anti-malnutrition drive taken to Karongi District