Fears that austerity may worsen malnutrition problem Saturday, 18 February 2012 15:43 Health >>> .A medical officer for communicable diseases with the World Health Organizations (WHO) Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar says the impending announcement of austerity budget poses a threat to the already high rate of malnutrition in South Sudan.
Dr. Abubakar spoke to Radio Miraya in an exclusive interview on Thursday about the state of malnutrition in South Sudan. Malnutrition is a general term that indicates a lack of some or all nutritional elements necessary for human health and weakens the immune system. According to Save the Children's latest report, titled 'A free life from hunger: Tackling Child Malnutrition,' 300 children die every hour of malnutrition. In South Sudan, more than 20% of children are malnourished which Dr. Abubakar links to food shortage. "Malnutrition is one of the major problems among children especially, but there is also food shortage in South Sudan. Recently WFP, FAO and the ministry of agriculture released a report where they said the food gap in 2012 will be huge. And now with the problem of austerity measures by the government over the economic crisis, of course the situation of malnutrition will get worse". Dr. Abubakar however urges the private sector to help supply more food to close the food gap. "The ministry of agriculture, WFP, FAO and UNICEF are taking good steps to improve food security in the country, but also the private sector needs to play a role in bringing more food to the needy people in order to improve the nutritional situation in the country". -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
