Malawi Red Cross Program Cuts Child Malnutrition Cases in Dowa District
Health officials expect the program's impact to continue as women maintain improved feeding practices using local resources.
DOWA, Malawi— A Red Cross nutrition program in Malawi's Dowa district has reduced monthly malnutrition cases from 13 to two, local health officials report, writ’ report, writ’ report, writes Ireen Kayira.
The program, which concluded in December, targeted pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under two years old in Group Village Headman Mtungwi.
"The health of children in this area has tremendously improved due to the advice and training women received from the project," said Oscar Lizi, Health Surveillance Assistant at Sichisichi Health Post.
"Despite this being the hunger season, we only have two cases of malnutrition, unlike in the past when many children were affected, regardless of the season."
Previous years saw multiple child deaths from severe malnutrition at the health post, Lizi said. The initiative taught women to prepare nutritious meals using local ingredients.
"Pregnant women have also greatly benefitted from this project. They are now equipped with knowledge on preparing nutritious diets for themselves and their families using locally available foods," Lizi added.
The program emphasised exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to six months and then introduced foods from six essential food groups.
Red Cross Health Promoter Maron Mlindi noted a shift in community understanding. "Previously, many people were unaware of proper nutrition and often attributed malnutrition to witchcraft," Mlindi said.
"Parents have come to understand that proper feeding practices can prevent malnutrition."
Milca Jere, a mother of seven, credits the program for her healthy seven-month-old baby.
"Since the project started, my children's health has improved significantly. Even during my pregnancy, I had no complications because I adhered to the nutritional guidance," she said.
Jere, who previously lost a child to malnutrition, added, "I realised the issue was not witchcraft but the lack of a proper diet for my children. Now, I know better."
Health officials expect the program's impact to continue as women maintain improved feeding practices using local resources.