500 000 workers suffer from malnutrition

03 May, 2015 - 06:05 0 Views

The Sunday News

ZIMBABWE is losing about $43 million of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually as more than 500 000 people suffer from malnutrition while 7 700 children and women die annually due to lack of essential vitamins and minerals required in the body, latest research has shown.
The country’s national nutrition strategy (NNS) for 2014 to 2018 which was launched last week by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa showed that the “human and economic consequences of the current micronutrient deficiencies in the Zimbabwean population are grave”.

The policy which is the first of its kind in the region indicates that the country is losing millions of dollars with thousands of both women and children dying as a result of inadequate knowledge and practices regarding appropriate and healthy diets for children and adults.

“Human and economic consequences of the current micronutrient deficiencies in the Zimbabwean population are grave. About 7 700 children and mothers are dying every year due to micronutrient deficiency, lack of essential vitamins and minerals required in the body, (iron, vitamin A, zinc, and folic acid). Cognitive growth losses in children will debilitate about 900 000 of the current population of under-fives resulting in future productivity deficits equivalent to $16 million in annual GDP,” reads the strategy.

“In adults, productivity performance deficit is estimated to affect more than 500 000 workers, resulting in an estimated GDP deficit of $43 million annually. Micronutrient deficiencies are also contributing to higher morbidity that is preventable, for instance about 3,5 million more cases of diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, low birth weight and birth defects which are estimated to cost the health system and families an additional $4 million per annum.”

Productivity in agriculture, industry and other sectors would increase due to better health of the working population and this would contribute to an increase in gross national product.

The study also indicates that the combination of higher levels of education and improved health of the workforce would result in an increase in lifetime wages of between five percent and 50 percent, hence a reduction in poverty.

The launch by VP Mnangagwa follows the Food and Nutrition security policy which was launched by President  Mugabe in 2013. VP Mnangagwa said food and nutrition insecurity leads to a vicious cycle of malnutrition, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired mental and physical development and reduced productivity, resulting in compromised respectability and dignity.

The main objective of national nutrition strategy is to implement Commitment V (5) of the food and nutrition security policy. The commitment emphasises Government commitment to ensure nutrition security for all through the implementation of evidence based nutrition interventions that are integrated within a broad public health framework including health services, water and sanitation.

VP Mnangagwa said addressing issues of nutrition remained top on the agenda of government which will also assume primary responsibility of resource mobilisation funding.

“The implementation of this strategy will require the participation and involvement of stakeholders at all levels from the community to the national level. The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s national nutrition department shall spearhead implementation of the strategy with the Food and Nutrition Council maintaining its coordination roles of multiple stakeholders,” he said.

Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa said his ministry shall spearhead the implementation of the strategy together with other ministries as well as the private sector to comprehensively address malnutrition problems.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care shall take advantage of availability of platforms for collaborative work in reducing all forms of malnutrition, utilising international and national laws, policies and proven-international and local best practices to improve the nutritional status of the citizens of the country,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

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