Kongwa launches drive to curb maternal malnutrition
KONGWA: KONGWA District Council has launched a project to tackle malnutrition among pregnant women, in an initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health and reducing the risk of babies being born with nutritional deficiencies.
The project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the International University of Peace (UDP), targets expectant mothers living in vulnerable conditions that expose them and their unborn children to malnutrition.
Speaking during the launch, Project Manager Daniela Massignani said the initiative would strengthen the council’s efforts to address the root causes of malnutrition, including poor dietary practices, inadequate food diversity, consumption of unsafe water and limited access to quality health screening services.
She said the project was expected to help reduce maternal and child deaths, lower the incidence of low birth weight and severe anaemia among newborns and improve nutritional outcomes for mothers and children.
Ms Massignani added that the intervention would also help to reduce post-delivery complications while raising community awareness and promoting the adoption of proper nutrition and hygiene practices.
Kongwa District Administrative Secretary, Imani Fute commended the initiative, urging livestock and agriculture officers to work closely with beneficiaries and provide technical support for livestock and farming activities to be introduced under the project.
“Effective collaboration among relevant departments will be essential in ensuring that the livestock and agricultural support provided to households remains productive and sustainable beyond the project’s implementation period,” he said.
Kongwa District Council Chairperson, White Zuberi said proper taking nutrition during pregnancy was crucial for the healthy development of children’s brains, adding that the initiative would also contribute to building productive and resilient households.
He said the project would be implemented in eight to 10 villages across Kongwa District, depending on the availability of pregnant women and community health workers. Among the villages identified for the intervention are Banyibanyi, Ibwaga and Matongoro.
