News: A national survey to fight against malnutrition in the DRC
The Deputy Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Serge Emmanuel Holden, recently inaugurated a vast national survey on nutrition. This initiative aims to assess the nutritional status of infants and children under five years old across the country in order to strengthen surveillance and combat malnutrition.
For 25 days, a team of 364 supervisors and investigators will go door to door in 18,252 households spread across all provinces of the DRC. The aim is to collect accurate data on children’s weight and height to better understand the current nutritional situation in the country.
Malnutrition is a major problem in the DRC, with nearly 2.8 million people suffering from global acute malnutrition, including 1.2 million children under the age of five, according to a study by the World Health Organization. This national survey will collect essential information to guide government policies and improve the health of infants and children in the country.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Serge Holden, stressed the importance of adequate nutrition as a fundamental right of the Congolese. He said malnutrition posed a threat to the achievement of development goals, including the reduction of poverty and hunger. The Congolese government is committed to making the fight against malnutrition a priority in its national development program.
This national nutrition survey is part of the universal health coverage advocated by the Congolese head of state. It demonstrates the government’s desire to take concrete measures to improve the health of children in the DRC.
In conclusion, this national survey on nutrition in the DRC constitutes an important step in the fight against malnutrition. Through the collection of accurate data, the government will be able to better understand the current situation and put in place effective policies to improve the health and well-being of Congolese children. This initiative demonstrates the DRC’s commitment to ensuring adequate nutrition for all citizens and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.