Uganda gov't, donors meet over battle against malnutrition

Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda on Tuesday called for a more effective campaign against malnutrition, especially among children and women of child-bearing age.

The government cannot make real gains in tackling poverty unless the problem of child stunting is urgently addressed, his office quoted him as saying at a meeting of a joint policy coordination committee composed of government officials and donors.

Malnutrition, especially among children, stunts their bodies, their minds and their potential to fully contribute to the country's development, he stressed.

"This great loss holds back our country's potential for a vibrant, productive labor force and its ability to realize the promise of the demographic dividend. For our country to grow, our children must grow," said Rugunda.

"In Uganda, for every 100 children, 33 are stunted. In the southwestern region, 44 children out of every 100 are stunted and chronically hungry," he added.

Alice Martin-Daihirou, the UN World Food Program country director, pledged support for strengthening Uganda's multi-sectoral partnership in the fight against malnutrition, in addition to identifying and meeting the funding gaps for nutrition.

Uganda is currently implementing a five-year nutrition action plan with emphasis on reducing child undernutrition, especially stunting, across the country.

According to a 2013 study on the socioeconomic cost of hunger in Uganda, up to 5.6 percent of GDP is lost each year because malnourished children grow up to be less productive youths and adults. Endi