National nutrition survey in the DRC: an essential measure for improving health
Nutrition is a fundamental right of every individual, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the government is implementing a large national survey to assess the nutritional status of infants and children under the age of five. This initiative, inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Serge Emmanuel Holden, aims to strengthen nutritional surveillance at the national and provincial level by 2024.
The survey, which will take place over 25 days, will mobilize 364 supervisors and investigators to collect data on the weight and height of children in 18,252 households spread across all provinces of the DRC. This approach will provide an accurate picture of the current nutritional situation and guide government policies to improve the health of infants and children.
Malnutrition poses a major threat to the development of 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 Organization of Health. This national survey will provide crucial data to understand the underlying causes of malnutrition and guide prevention and treatment actions.
Deputy Minister of Health Serge Holden stressed the importance of combating malnutrition as a priority in the DRC’s national development agenda. This will not only help reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, but also help achieve development goals, including reducing poverty and hunger.
This initiative demonstrates the Congolese government’s commitment to promoting the health and well-being of children, by placing nutrition at the heart of public health policies. Thanks to this national survey, the DRC will be able to put in place concrete measures to prevent malnutrition and ensure a better future for its children.
In conclusion, the national nutrition survey in the DRC is a crucial step in the fight against malnutrition and the promotion of child health. By assessing the nutritional status of the child population, the government will be able to implement targeted policies and programs aimed at improving nutrition and reducing the prevalence of malnutrition in the DRC. This initiative is an important step towards achieving universal health coverage and guaranteeing the fundamental right to adequate nutrition for all Congolese.