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This has been said by Samalie Namukose, Assistant Commissioner, Nutrition Division Ministry of Health during her presentation during the 3rd National Nutritional Forum under the theme “Unlocking Nutritional Potentials” organized by the office of the Prime Minister, UNICEF and other partner Organizations held at mistil hotel in Kampala.
She says lack of professional Nutritionists is why the country is under-performing in the field of Nutrition adding that the only solution is to deploy the Nutritionists to combat this challenge.
They are also calling for structures of Nutrition from the district to the sub-county be put in place to help in the spreading of Nutritional information.
They want gov’t to increase the budget for Nutrition and also build our own local investors in the field of Nutrition as Namukose explains.
UNICEF Communication Specialist Catherine Ntabadde Makumbi says farmers ought not only to grow and sell food but should also take the chance also to eat nutritional food for their health.
Records at the district health department indicate that 45% of the children in rural areas under the age of five have stunted growth. At some of the health facilities, mothers with malnourished children are turned away and forced to seek treatment from private nutritionists.
The Nutrition Symposium has drawn participants from Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), donor agencies, civil society organizations, implementing partners and UN agencies.
The Prime Minister Robinah Nabaanja is expected to officially open this 3rd National Nutritional Forum tomorrow.