Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zambia is not on track in five nutrition areas according to the Continental Nutrition Accountability Scored released by the African Union and the African Development Bank.
QTV’S David Bweupe reports from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that the latest scorecard released on the sidelines of the African Union summit shows that Zambia is not on track with regards to children under 5 years old who are stunted, children under 5 years old with anemia, and with regards to access to clean drinking water.
Others are access to improved sanitation facilities and lack of legislation on code of marketing of breast milk substitutes.
The Country is however, on track with regards to exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0-6 months of age with 72%,children aged 6-59 months who received two age-appropriate doses of vitamin A in the past 12 months at 99%,and legislation on mandatory fortification for foods.
The scorecard further shows that Zambia is making progress with regards children under 5 years old who are wasted, children under 5 years old who are overweight, and with regards to women of reproductive age with anemia.
And speaking during the launch of the Continental Nutrition Accountability Scorecard under the theme:”A Call for Better Advocacy and Accountability for Nutrition Investment”, African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina says Africa loses US$25 billion a year due to malnutrition.
Dr. Adesina says there is need to change the narrative of stunting and malnutrition as a social issue to an economic issue.
He notes the need to invest in better nutrition for the children of Africa, adding that the red colors on the scorecard which represent not on track should be turned to green representing on track.
Dr. Adesina says the red colors on the scorecard speak of the cries of the many malnourished children on the continent.