Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Dr. Chitalu Chilufya – Health Minister
Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya says government is committed to increasing the budgetary allocation towards nutrition in the coming fiscal year.
In a speech read on his behalf by Permanent Secretary in-charge of Training Professor Elwyn Chomba at the launch of the East and Southern Africa Nutrition Budget Commitment report, Dr. Chilufya says government has demonstrated its commitment by increasing the budgetary allocation to the national food and nutrition commission by K1 million in the 2019 national budget.
He says government is aware that this is not enough compared to the size of the Problem,but that it is committed to increasing this further in the coming fiscal year to enable the commission effectively coordinate, supervise and monitor nutrition programmes in the country.
Dr. Chilufya adds that government will not neglect nutrition and will work with all partners and stakeholders to ensure that the problem of malnutrition is addressed in its totality.
He says government hopes that the report will contribute to the pool of information to help it plan and make decisions.
Speaking at the same event, Care International Zambia Country Director, Geraldine Zwack says the report found that majority of investment in nutrition programming in Zambia is by donors.
Ms Zwack adds that the findings of the report are aimed at helping civil society to engage government to take steps towards increasing budgetary allocations towards nutrition.
She has however, recommended that government takes steps towards increasing its share of investment from its own resources as this will place the country on a path of sustainability as far as investing in nutrition is concerned.
And presenting report, Care International Malawi Advocacy and Partnership Coordinator, Vitumbiko Chinoko says in Zambia, stunting is too high at 40 percent representing 1.22 Million Children under five.