Mbumba wants malnutrition eradicated
With over 1 100 malnutrition deaths recorded over the past four years, President Nangolo Mbumba says he has instructed the prime minister to address the hunger scourge plaguing the country - by any means necessary.
Mbumba said this yesterday during the Heroes’ Day commemoration at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region, where he spoke on the issue of drought and what the government has done to address it.
His sentiments come just weeks after various regions revealed that a number of people, mostly children, have died due to malnutrition.
“At present, we are facing a devastating drought that is affecting every region across the entire country. We cannot ignore it, we cannot escape it. As a result, we must face it together. To this extent, the government has announced drought relief assistance and this has been rolled out countrywide.”
He added: “I have received disturbing reports of deaths related to malnutrition, specifically among children in various regions, and have subsequently assigned the prime minister [Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila] to look into this matter and take whatever necessary measures required to address the drought and hunger situation in our country”.
Last month, Namibian Sun reported that Kavango East health director Idah Mendai revealed that approximately 14 000 malnutrition cases have been recorded so far this year, resulting in 15 children dying.
In June, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula was quoted by The Namibian as saying that about 1 101 Namibians have died of malnutrition in the past four years.
Heroes’ Day
Meanwhile, during his keynote address, Mbumba talked about the importance of commemorating Heroes’ Day, saying that Namibia’s independence was a result of those who sacrificed their lives during the long and bitter liberation struggle.
“On 26 August, let us commemorate our struggle for independence and celebrate our sovereignty, reminding ourselves that our freedom did not come on a silver platter,” he said.
“We honour those who defended their motherland by choosing to fight, risking their lives and, in many instances, paid the ultimate price for our freedom.”
Thousands of people attended yesterday’s event.
[email protected]
Mbumba said this yesterday during the Heroes’ Day commemoration at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region, where he spoke on the issue of drought and what the government has done to address it.
His sentiments come just weeks after various regions revealed that a number of people, mostly children, have died due to malnutrition.
“At present, we are facing a devastating drought that is affecting every region across the entire country. We cannot ignore it, we cannot escape it. As a result, we must face it together. To this extent, the government has announced drought relief assistance and this has been rolled out countrywide.”
He added: “I have received disturbing reports of deaths related to malnutrition, specifically among children in various regions, and have subsequently assigned the prime minister [Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila] to look into this matter and take whatever necessary measures required to address the drought and hunger situation in our country”.
Last month, Namibian Sun reported that Kavango East health director Idah Mendai revealed that approximately 14 000 malnutrition cases have been recorded so far this year, resulting in 15 children dying.
In June, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula was quoted by The Namibian as saying that about 1 101 Namibians have died of malnutrition in the past four years.
Heroes’ Day
Meanwhile, during his keynote address, Mbumba talked about the importance of commemorating Heroes’ Day, saying that Namibia’s independence was a result of those who sacrificed their lives during the long and bitter liberation struggle.
“On 26 August, let us commemorate our struggle for independence and celebrate our sovereignty, reminding ourselves that our freedom did not come on a silver platter,” he said.
“We honour those who defended their motherland by choosing to fight, risking their lives and, in many instances, paid the ultimate price for our freedom.”
Thousands of people attended yesterday’s event.
[email protected]
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