MosesMagadza: Namibia launches child survival strategy

MosesMagadza: Namibia launches child survival strategy: ·          26% of children under 5 stunted ·          6% wasted ·          13% underweight ·          48% anaemic ·       ...

MosesMagadza: Namibia launches child survival strategy

MosesMagadza: Namibia launches child survival strategy: ·          26% of children under 5 stunted ·          6% wasted ·          13% underweight ·          48% anaemic ·       ...

MosesMagadza: Namibia launches child survival strategy

MosesMagadza: Namibia launches child survival strategy: ·          26% of children under 5 stunted ·          6% wasted ·          13% underweight ·          48% anaemic ·       ...

Namibia launches child survival strategy

·          26% of children under 5 stunted

·         6% wasted

·         13% underweight

·         48% anaemic

·         Many not exclusively breastfed

·         Link between nutrition and intelligence

·         USD50 million needed over 3 years

By Moses Magadza

WINDHOEK (September1, 2014): The Ministry of Health and Social Services in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and USAID will today (Monday, Sept 1) launch the Child Survival Strategy: “A Promise Renewed for Child Survival in Namibia” as the country moves to improve the nutritional status of children under the age of five years.

South African music sensation Yvonne Chaka Chaka who is also the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador will join Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob, former Prime Minister Nahas Angula, Health and Social Services Minister Dr Richard Kamwi and other high prolife officials at the launch.

Great expectations

OPTIMISTIC:Defense Minister Nahas Angula

The child survival strategy is part of the outcomes of the broader Namibian Alliance for Improved Nutrition (NAFIN) which Angula convenes. NAFIN will also today launch the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Country Implementation Plan to reduce stunting in the country.

Angula expressed optimism that investing in the nutrition of children would benefit the country in the immediate and long term.

“Good nutrition enhances child survival,” he said in an interview.

Kamwi, who was one of the ministers that met in the United States of America in 2012 to renew the promise on child survival, said he was also excited about the launch.

“There are things that are dear to my heart. This is one of them. There is no reason why we should let our under five children die. We need to do something. We have been working hard and our Demographic Health Survey which will be launched soon shows that there has been a decline in child and maternal mortality. We are also seeing malnutrition decreasing in our country,” Kamwi said.

He said although Namibia, like other developing countries, would most likely not meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on child and maternal mortality, it was encouraging that the country had made remarkable progress in that regard.

HAPPY: Health Minister Dr Richard Kamwi

“Namibia is one of the countries that are leading in addressing child and maternal mortality. We have a very high ante natal care of about 97 percent while 87 percent of all deliveries take place in facilities attended to by a skilled birth attendant. As a developing country we should pat ourselves,” he said, adding that immunization rates against measles were high.

“One of the killer diseases for children under five years is malaria. Since 2010 Namibia has exceeded both the Abuja Declaration and roll back malaria targets. We are eliminating malaria and this has enabled us to significantly reduce HIV/AIDS mortality. Mother to Child transmission rates of HIV/AIDS have gone down to about four percent.”

The SUN plan proposes the scaling up of selected high impact interventions to contribute to the accelerated reduction of under-5 morbidity and mortality in order to achieve national and international targets by 2018.

Ms Michaela de Soussa, the UNICEF Representative in Namibia said various studies to determine the nutritional status on Namibian children show that although much had been done, the country still faces major challenges.

She cited the 2013 Namibian Demographic and Health Survey, whose preliminary survey report indicates that 26% of children under five are stunted or short for their age, 6% are wasted or too thin for their height, while 13% are underweight.  While this is a slight improvement since the previous DHS which was conducted in 2006, de Soussa said the results point to the need to do more in the area of child nutrition. 

The 2013 DHS also reported that children 48 % of children under the age of five years were suffering from anaemia.   The 2006 DHS did not investigate anaemia amongst children. The MoHSS, with support from UNICEF and WHO is now conducting a study on infant and young child feeding practices, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. De Soussa said this study, which is expected to be finalized before the end of this year, will provide information about what infants and young children are being fed and whether this is nutritionally adequate to meet their growth and development needs. 

“The findings will be used to improve the MoHSS’ programmes and services for women and children with regard to nutrition.” 

Most common nutritional problem

There are different types of malnutrition and in Namibia, with the most significant problem being a form of chronic malnutrition called stunting.  

UNICEF Rep Michaela de Soussa

“A child who is stunted is too short for their age. However, there are other developmental implications of stunting that affect a child’s potential as an adult.  Stunting results not only in restricted growth in height but it also in cognitive development deficits that are irreversible once the child reaches the age of two years,” de Soussa explained.

She said stunting was due to many different factors including poor infant feeding practices such as inadequate duration of exclusive breastfeeding between when the infant is born and reaches the age of six months. Poor complementary feeding practices, whereby children are not fed the right amount of food, inadequate variety or fed food of nutritional value can also cause stunting.  

Other causes of stunting include repeated illness and infection, poor maternal health and poor nutritional status of young girls.  

“One of the most significant contributors to stunting in Namibia is likely the link with poor sanitation and hygiene.  The practice of open defecation has been shown by research as a major contributor to stunting.”  

The 2013 DHS shows the region with the highest prevalence of stunting is Ohangwena (36.5%) followed by Hardap (29.1%) and Karas (27%).  Kunene region has a stunting prevalence of 19.3%, which is below the national average of 26%.  

UNICEF has been working with the MoHSS to develop and implement a programme whereby Health Extension Workers (HEWs) are trained to operate in the most difficult to reach areas of the country.  The HEWs are trained to detect acute malnutrition among other health and social issues and to refer children and women to health facilities when necessary.

UNICEF is also working in partnership with the Namibian Red Cross Society. Volunteers have been trained to screen children for malnutrition and refer them to health facilities. 

Breast is best

De Soussa said to improve the nutritional status of infants and young children, Namibia should - apart from eliminating open defecation - increase the number of infants who are exclusively breastfed from birth to six months of age.

“This is not happening in Namibia.  The DHS shows that only 27% of infants aged six months are being fed only breastmilk.  When such infants are fed other foods and liquids other than breastmilk, they become at much greater risk of infections, illness and death.”

Elsewhere children's food is fortified with key nutrients.  De Soussa explained that Namibia has a voluntary food fortification programme that has been running for at least the past 10 years. 

“Namib Mills produces flour that is fortified with nutrients, which can be bought from stores throughout the country.  The Namibian Alliance for Improved Nutrition (NAFIN), has commissioned a study to investigate the feasibility of small millers fortifying flour.  In addition to population based fortification programmes, the MoHSS is investigating the potential for home fortification using a micronutrient powder, which can be added to the food fed to young children.”

Multi-sectoral approach  

De Soussa explained that to reduce stunting in the country, a multi-sectoral approach is needed.

“This means that sectors such as water and sanitation, agriculture, education and social welfare need to take responsibility for investing in interventions that have the potential to support improvements in the nutritional status of children.”

Such interventions include support for home gardens and improving household access to nutritious foods, elimination of open defecation and increasing the number of people who wash their hands with soap at critical times. Increasing social safety nets for families, improving school meal programmes and improving national and regional preparedness and response to emergencies and disease outbreaks are other options.   

It has been estimated that UDS50million is required to fully implement the SUN country implementation plan over three years.  

“If fully implemented it is expected that stunting can be reduced to below 20% by 2016.  If the goal to reduce stunting to less than 20% by 2016 is achieved, not only will more Namibian children survive, they will also have the potential to thrive.”  

 

HOMEWORK: Poor nutrition is linked to poor learning outcomes

Many studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between stunting or chronic malnutrition poor and cognitive development that affects a child’s potential to learn.  De Soussa said that investing in nutrition has been proven to be one of the most cost effective ways of achieving national development goals.  –moses.magadza@gmail.com

Ends/.

MosesMagadza: Whither MDGs?

MosesMagadza: Whither MDGs?: MDGs suffered from experimentation … as world looks beyond 2015   By Moses Magadza WINDHOEK - A senior United Nations offici...

Whither MDGs?

MDGs suffered from experimentation

… as world looks beyond 2015

 

By Moses Magadza

WINDHOEK - A senior United Nations official has said that the failure by many African countries to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be attributed to lack of precedent which led to experimentation as well as to overreliance on external support.

Ambassador Musinga Bandora

Ambassador Musinga Bandora, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Namibia made this observation while delivering a public lecture at the University of Namibia on Tuesday, August 19, 2014. The public lecture, was one of a series planned by the University of Namibia through its faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences to stimulate vigorous discourse around socio-economic and other issues. The topic of the lecture was: “From MDGs to Sustainable Development Goals of the New Post 2015 Development Agenda: Process and Prospects for Africa and Namibia – Making the New Agenda Work.”

UN Member states adopted the current eight MDGs in 2000, primarily to eradicate extreme poverty. With only months before the end date of the MDGs, there is a general consensus among experts that for many countries, especially in the developing world, that noble goal remains elusive.

Bandora said there was evidence that since the MDGs were introduced without precedent, they suffered from “experimentation” which may have jinxed their successful implementation. Yet all was not lost. In many countries, he said, things were a lot better than they were before the MDGs were adopted.

Quoting a report produced by a the United Nations’ High Level Panel appointed by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in July 2012, Bandora said that MDGs had made a remarkable difference to humanity and transformed lives.

“Overall, progress and achievements of the MDGs in Africa has been mixed, not just across goals, but also across countries and even within countries,” the career diplomat told his audience.

Citing the 2013 Africa MDG Report, he said Africa was on track toward achieving four of the MDGs: achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; combating HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and other diseases; and strengthening global partnership for development.

Turning to Namibia’s performance, Bandora said the country was on course toward meeting most the MDGs, albeit partially. Specifically, the country has done remarkably well in reducing poverty; achieving universal primary education; bringing about gender equity and empowering women; addressing HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and other diseases; promoting environmental sustainability; and developing global partnerships for development.

“(Namibia) is not likely to achieve the child mortality and maternal health targets” he observed.

The 2013 Africa MDG report that Bandora cited is unequivocal in stating that there has been a mismatch between poverty reduction and economic growth on the continent and that although some African countries have achieved universal access to primary education, the quality of that education remains cause for concern. There was also evidence that some countries including Namibia that made remarkable progress toward meeting MDGs have done so through channelling domestic resources toward implementation rather than relying on external or donor support.

Bandora explained that following a series of consultations led by the United Nations, 17 new sustainable goals with 169 targets have been developed for implementation in what is been touted as the post 2015 Agenda. Like the MDGs, the proposed new goals have a 15 year time line.

The 17 new goals proposed for implementation after 2015 are:

1. End poverty in all forms everywhere.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable r equality and agriculture.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well – being for all.
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning for all.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and Girls.
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.
8. Promote sustained inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. This includes enablers and cross-cutting issues of Finance, Technology, Capacity building and  Trade as well as Systemic issues of Policy and Institution coherence, Partnerships, Data, monitoring and accountability for results.

Although there seems to be agreement over the proposed new goals, discussions are ongoing around sticky issues that include the rule of law, sexual and reproductive health rights, climate change and subsidies for fossil fuel.

While acknowledging that the new goals may appear many and even overambitious, Bandora said they present governments with an opportunity to choose well and focus even as the world citizens demand boldness and ambition.

“Whatever compromise emerges, the challenge for Africa is to sustain active engagement and ensure that these negotiations culminate in a lean agenda – one focusing on the most catalytic areas to its development,” he said.

ALL EARS: Part of the crowd that attended the public lecture on MDGs

Calling for introspection, Bandora said Namibia and Africa must draw lessons from implementing the current MDGs if they are to be successful in implementing the new goals.

“Evaluations of the MDGs have pointed out several shortcomings and lessons… There was inadequate analysis and justification behind some of the chosen goals…MDGs were adopted by governments without consulting with the people and in the main, the goals remained marginal and not integrated into national development plans.”

Additionally, Namibia and the continent must redouble efforts to eradicate poverty, tackle inequality and exclusion and address unemployment among the youth, which he said was a ticking time bomb that could undermine the proposed new agenda.

“Equally, addressing gender inequality, investing in women’s empowerment, providing equal and accessible education for girls will impact positively on the new agenda…The spirit of consultations that characterised the development of the new agenda must be embedded into its implementation,” he advised.

At continental level, there was need to achieve and sustain high economic growth rates and take advantage of the new opportunities in globalisation for implementing the new agenda.

“Africa’s overriding growth objective should be to wean itself over dependence. In its 2014 Africa Transformation Report, the African Centre for Economic Transformation underscores that African economies need more than just growth if they are to transform. They need to grow with ‘depth’: diversify, make exports competitive, increase agricultural productivity, invest in technology, innovate and improve human capital.”

Noting that Africa was emerging as the new frontier for massive natural resources, Bandora called for political prudence and skills for managing those resources for the benefit of the continents’ citizens.

“Africa should ensure that these resources become a blessing and not a curse, as we have seen in the past. Only then can Africa effectively leverage internal resources to implement the new agenda with the political independence and autonomy of action that financial capacity engenders.”

While acknowledging that Africa was still far from being able to go it alone and might continue to require donor assistance, Bandora called for the proper coordination of donors to avoid duplication. There is also need to promote public private partnerships on the continent, as well as to reinvigorate the pace of regional integration.

“Fifty three African countries acting individually lack the critical mass to be meaningful players on the global scene. Africa needs to partner, interact and trade more. Bandora advanced the thesis that the new proposed post 2015 goals can best be implemented with deeper political commitments to promoting good governance, peace and security on the continent.

“Giving Parliaments, civil society, media and space to freely exercise their oversight, advocacy and public accountability roles must continue to form part of that political agenda,” he said, adding that efforts to resolve conflicts should be intensified.

He called for tact in managing diversity and noted that political “rigidity and marginalisation, ethnicity and religious tolerance,” were wreaking havoc on the continent.

With many African countries facing a critical shortage of human resources for development, Bandora said there was need for the continent to strengthen its institutions and systems, raise people with the right skills and in sufficient numbers to push the post 2015 agenda.

 “Investing in education and skill, in building capacity of state institutions and systems to oversee the implementation must be part of the agenda itself.”

Scores of people who included UNAM students, professors and lecturers, members of the United Nations family in Namibia, as well as members of the diplomatic community attended the lecture.

*Winner of the SADC Media Award and 10 other journalism awards, Moses Magadza is a Masters in Media Studies student at the University of Namibia. Email: moses.magadza@gmail.com

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