Перейти к основному содержанию

National partners come together to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in Kukes

Страны
Албания
Источники
UN RC Albania
Дата публикации
Происхождение
Просмотреть оригинал

Kukes, 8 June 2011 – Representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, the Institute of Public Health, Kukes Regional Health Authority, UN Agencies and civil society partners came together in a regional workshop as part of efforts to combat food insecurity among high risk groups.The event provided an opportunity to review progress in the implementation of the National Plan for Nutrition Programme.

Responding to the challenge of child malnutrition and food insecurity is a principal goal for the Albanian Government as part of its commitments to the Millennium Development Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality and MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health. Chronic malnutrition and associated stunted growth currently affects 19 percent of children under five in Albania. This figure is highest in Albania’s mountain region, where 28 percent of under-five’s are affected. Twenty seven percent of under-five deaths can be directly attributed to malnutrition.

The workshop was chaired by Nikolin Martini, Director of the Public Health Directorate, Kukes Region. Amongst others, Mr. Martini highlighted: “The Region of Kukes has a variety of health issues related to pregnant women, mothers and children, with high levels of malnutrition and anemia.” Mr. Martini went on to comment, “I’m positive about this intervention. Several meetings and discussions have taken place with the affected populations in different areas. We introduced the main purpose of the programme to local people. An assessment of the populations needs is underway, particularly with regard to anemia.”

Also present at the workshop, Gazmend Bejtja, Director of the Directorate at the Institute of Public Health noted: “Research has revealed that for every dollar invested in nutrition there is return of four dollars within the wider economy. The financial cost of malnutrition is calculated at 0.1 % of GDP. Mr Bejtja went on to comment: “This workshop highlights the need for investment and is helping to strengthen intersectoral cooperation, while placing a strong focus on responding to local needs. Through this local level focus, people are able to develop a clear sense of what the nutritional problems are, and develop interventions that respond to these needs.”

Another participant in the workshop was Daniela Nika, Expert in Child Health and Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion at the Institute of Public Health, who amongst others highlighted: “We have studied the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of health workers towards feeding practices and the nutritional habits among the general population. Training modules for health workers have subsequently been prepared to increase their knowledge of feeding practices and how to monitor child growth. Ms. Nika went on to note: “The training phase has concluded. Sixteen national trainers will now serve as focal points for follow up training within the pilot districts in Kukes, Shkodra and peri-urban areas of Tirana.”

In addition, Ms. Nika commented: “Another important assessment is underway concerning the process of food fortification, considering the evident gap in the level of microelements within the daily food intake of the local population.” Ms. Nika went on to note: “Another important initiative is the preparation of the Nutrition Curricula which will be introduced within the Health Faculty at the University of Tirana; and the creation of a consolidated information system on nutritional statistics in Albania, along with the preparation of an associated monitoring system.”

Ms. Nika concluded by commenting: “The challenge for us as medical staff and people involved in this programme over the next few years is to make the necessary improvements in the level of nutritional food intake among women and children, that will contribute to a decrease in associated illness among children; and a decrease in the under 5 mortality as part of our commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.”

The One UN Joint Programme Child Food Security and Nutrition aims to prevent and address malnutrition and food insecurity in Albania among high risk child population groups, through strengthening national policy development and enhancing technical capacity at the national and local level. The Joint Programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, INSTAT, specialised institutions, regional authorities, and civil society organizations, with support from UNICEF, WHO and FAO. The Programme is funded by the Government of Spain through the MDG Achievement Fund.