The World Health Organisation (WHO), in partnership with the Japan, is working closely with the Ministry of Health & Social Services to improve access to essential nutrition services for vulnerable communities.
WHO spokesperson Johanna Nambahu says the initiative focuses on women and children in the Omaheke, Khomas and Kunene regions, and aims to reduce malnutrition-related illnesses and deaths.
It is set to continue until December.
Speaking during a recent visit to Opuwo, Nambahu highlighted the urgent need to address the worsening malnutrition crisis in Namibia.
“The nutrition situation for children and young mothers has worsened due to the combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and Namibia’s vulnerability to climate change. “Unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts and environmental damage have significantly disrupted food production, increasing the risk of malnutrition in already vulnerable populations,” Nambahu said.
She said the visit to Opuwo aimed to assess the impact of the project by gathering feedback from health workers and beneficiaries.
The project has already shown promising results in the Kunene region, where 66 community health workers have been contracted under Opuwo District Hospital to conduct essential health services, she said.
These services include identifying missed vaccinations for children under five, assessing the nutritional status of pregnant mothers and young children, and monitoring children undergoing treatment for malnutrition, she said.
As part of the initiative, 27 health workers from Opuwo received training in nutrition for health, equipping them with the skills to provide crucial support to their communities, she noted.
“The role of community health workers has been critical in identifying and referring malnutrition cases to health facilities.
“They are also key in mobilising community members for health education and outreach programmes,” Nambahu added.
According to the WHO, national data shows an alarming rise in malnutrition cases across the country. Between January and March 2023, outpatient cases of malnutrition increased from 666 to 776, with the highest number recorded in April at 839 cases.
The organisation says the Omaheke, Khomas and Kunene regions accounted for nearly a third of the country’s malnutrition cases during this period.
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