DILI, 3 october 2022 (TATOLI)— The National Director of Public Health, Frederico Bosco revealed, the authorities recorded a total of 1,769 children suffering from malnutrition in the national territory from January to July.
“From January to July 2022, health professionals monitored the child growth development of 44,238 children under five, of the number 1,769 (3%) suffered from moderate malnutrition, while more than 442(1%) suffered from severe malnutrition,” Director Bosco told Tatoli on Friday.
Currently, the Ministry of Health is taking preventive action and providing care to respond to malnutrition.
“We are making prevention efforts by increasing public knowledge, especially parents about the right way to consume safe and healthy food, and strengthening early detention for children with malnutrition by providing security and routine antenatal and postnatal care for mother and child,” he said.
The primary health care system remains focused on responding to the situation of malnutrition in the country, particularly in areas that are under the competence of the Minister of Health.
Combating malnutrition, Bosco said, requires a multisectoral approach, where integrated parts, work on appropriate pathways to achieve the country’s malnutrition reduction targets.
“The children we identified with moderate or severe malnutrition, our health workers have provided treatment based on available guidelines, including distribution of nutritional supplements and regular control for children suffering from malnutrition,”
According to a survey from the Ministry of Health in 2020, more than 47% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition and stunting in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Felicidade Ximenes
Editor : Florencio Miranda Ximenes
Translation: Camilo de Sousa
