PM issues strong directives to end stunting and NCDs

DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has issued seven directives to ministries, public institutions and nutrition stakeholders in the country to fully implement all the resolutions they agreed upon as efforts to combat stunting and non-communicable diseases.

Speaking today in Dar es Salaam while closing the 11th meeting of nutrition stakeholders, the Prime Minister said doing so would increase productivity in strengthening the national strategic implementation.

“TAMISEMI should deploy trained nutrition officers to all councils and establish and facilitate the implementation of nutrition committees at ward and village levels. Ensure that the practitioners who do this work are empowered to go to the villages.

He added, “The Ministry of Industry and Trade should strengthen inspections to ensure the addition of complementary foods is safe. Research institutions and higher education institutions should continue research on nutrition issues and ensure that reports are used to improve nutrition policies and strategies,” he stressed.

PM has called on the Ministry of Finance to improve the nutrition monitoring system to ensure that the funds allocated are used appropriately at all levels.

Furthermore, PM has called on Ministries and public and private institutions to allocate sufficient resources for nutrition interventions and to include accountability and sustainability in their annual plans.

He has called on Regional Administrations and Local Governments (TAMISEMI) to implement a school meal program and nutrition education for youth in line with agricultural strategies and food systems that prioritize better nutrition.

“To all sectoral ministries, collaborate with stakeholders to develop digital systems for collecting and monitoring nutrition information so that the systems are consistent, the government will continue to strengthen accountability systems and sufficient resources to spread the good work of Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan,” explained Majaliwa.

“I congratulate all leaders for the great work you are doing. These plans go to strengthen nutrition strategies in these areas. The government has taken your instructions on how to organize itself in nutrition. This meeting is an important part of national coordination and unites nutrition stakeholders.

Regarding the state of stunting, he said 48 percent in 1992 to 30 percent in 2022. Underweight children under five years of age have decreased from 5 percent in 1992 to 3.2 percent in 2022; overweight and obesity are increasing, especially for women from 28 percent in 2015 to 37 percent in 2022.

He also stressed that citizens should go to the polls on October 29 and elect the leaders they want after listening to their policies.

For his part, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, Policy, Parliamentary Coordination, Ridhiwan Kikwete, has thanked all stakeholders for successfully implementing and continuing to implement their responsibilities.

“Participants held discussions in 11 areas. This year, the Prime Minister’s Office has successfully conducted a malnutrition survey.

The results will be used as a valuable resource for policymakers.

He added, “The survey has been conducted in collaboration with stakeholders. Tanzania is the 24th to complete this exercise. The report is complete.

He also reminded Tanzanians in the election year to consider voting as it is their right so that by October 29 they elect leaders and continue to maintain peace.

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And the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliamentary Coordination, Dr Jimmy Yonazi, said that 340 stakeholders and experts from various sectors have met in the fields of creativity and access to funds.

“The government in collaboration with stakeholders, is looking for creative ways to raise funds, build awareness of nutrition issues in the private sector, increase the use of technology to facilitate access to nutrition information, encourage community participation, and launch a comprehensive national nutrition plan. We intend to eliminate malnutrition in the country.