DODOMA: MEN have been urged to take an active role in caring for and nurturing their children, as parenting responsibilities do not diminish the significance and value of a father.
The timely advice was made by Kongwa District Commissioner, Mayeka Simon, on the sidelines of the just concluded event to commemorate the Health and Nutrition Day held in Sagara Ward at Msingisa Village in the district.
Mr Simon said that family protection begins with food, yet many men have been avoiding childcare, believing that it is solely the mother’s responsibility.
He emphasised that nutrition was critical for building immunity, and that parents should not take it lightly, as it could force the government to face a heavy burden in purchasing medications for many diseases caused by a lack of proper nutrition.
He encouraged parents to allocate time to their children to play and rest and to ensure that they adhere to proper nutrition once they reach six months of age.
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Kongwa District Executive Director (DED), Dr Omary Nkullo, discussed the importance of childrearing and praised the residents of Msingisa Village for their significant progress in education with the hiring of five volunteer teachers to educate their children.
He urged them to intensify their efforts to implement health and nutrition activities in the village.
Reading a report on the implementation of health and nutrition activities for the council, District Nutrition Officer, Mary Haule, said that statistics show there are 75,895 children under the age of five, with 31 per cent (23,537 children) being stunted. Additionally, 14per cent of children under the age of 15, equating to 10,625 children, are underweight and in the year 2024, 149 children were treated for severe malnutrition within Kongwa District.
Ms Haule also said that the council continues to support the government’s efforts to implement nutrition interventions by providing nutritional education to the public, focusing on a balanced diet considering the six food groups.
