GOBABIS - Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate has cited alcohol abuse and unemployment as some of the major contributors to the spike in malnutrition in the region.

He said at a press conference here last week that cases of malnutrition have increased. Some of the factors contributing to malnutrition amongst children are parents who exchange food provided to them for alcohol, as well as child negligence by younger parents who leave their children in the care of elderly relatives without checking up on them.

“A very big issue is negligent parents, and those who dump their children with elderly people. Of course, some of these young people are looking for work, but others are out enjoying themselves,” he stated.

Nganate further noted that malnutrition is a multi-faceted problem which needs everybody’s involvement, from the police and community to traditional leaders and healthcare workers. The Liquor Act should be enforced, he observed.

“We have some shebeens running 24/7,” he added.

Nganate said his office is trying to mitigate malnutrition by providing food to individual households, as well as setting up soup kitchens around the region. They are also working towards permanent solutions to alleviate the problem. “A whole paradigm shift is needed, and we have looked at low-hanging fruit which can be implemented with immediate effect, such as promoting milk collection points in the region. This is envisaged for the first quarter of 2024,” the politician continued. A report availed to the governor by the Gobabis State Hospital indicated that 370 people, mostly children, were admitted to healthcare facilities due to malnutrition last year. Of this number, 68 people died – most of them children.

The report further stated that outpatient initiatives such as food kitchens and community gardens have yielded mixed results. It highlighted how alcohol abuse has played a major role in food insecurity, and created a burden on state institutions which have food programmes in place.

- Nampa