GIZ Zambia’s Post

🌟 Wheat Flour Fortification: Strengthening Health in Zambia In Zambia, voluntary fortification of wheat flour plays an active role in addressing nutritional gaps and improving public health. Here are the key signs indicating the need for this good initiative: 1. Addresses Developmental Issues: Growth and developmental delays in children often stem from a lack of vital nutrients necessary for healthy development. 2. Improves Dietary Limitations: Limited access to a diverse diet, particularly in rural and low-income areas, underscores the importance of fortifying staple foods to ensure adequate nutrient intake. 3. Public Health Data: National health surveys and studies consistently show gaps in the population's nutrient intake, emphasizing the need for intervention through food fortification. By voluntarily fortifying wheat flour with essential vitamins and minerals, we can address these nutritional challenges, improving overall health and fostering stronger, healthier communities in vibrant Zambia. Join us in supporting voluntary flour fortification towards a healthier Zambia. #NutritionForAll #Zambia #NourishZM

Very pleased to highlight a new policy brief from our wonderful team, looking at prevalence of food insecurity in northern rural Ghana. Link in comments, fully open-access. Do share and circulate to colleagues. We carried out household surveys in Mion district, Northern Region of Ghana. Using validated questions, we found that food insecurity was 100%, thus all participants were food insecure to some level. The prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity was 61.5% in Mion, with severe food insecurity at 26.4% (this is higher than the national Ghana numbers, and roughly equivalent to other low-income settings in West Africa). Participants had high knowledge of climate change, and suggested their local situation has been getting worse over the last five years. Additionally, most participants had, on at least one occasion in the last year, been unable to reach their local health facility due to the climatic conditions such as extreme heat or rainfall (thus access to healthcare is an important aspect of climate change). This was a mixed-methods study, so there is further reflection therein on the focus groups and geospatial analyses. A journal paper is in preparation. Analyses was expertly led by Jessica Boxall. Study team includes Victor Mogre (Ph.D.), Shamsu-Deen Ziblim, Braimah Abubakari, Bruce Ayabilla Abugri, Bright Amoore, Maria Ayichuru, Natasha Fothergill-Misbah, Martin Kunc, Kennedy Miah, Eric Kodua Tweneboah, Jim Wright Many thanks to Mion health directorate and local assembly, and the wider Mion community. Thanks also to University of Southampton for providing the funding for this study. And thanks also to Beth Mathis and Gela Jenssen for the significant expertise in formatting and presentation of the policy brief. #foodinsecurity #foodsecurity #planetaryhealth #globalhealth #publichealth #Ghana #Africa #WestAfrica #nutrition

Today at 3: 00 PM (SL time), IPS Research Economist Sunimalee Madurawala will present at UNICEF’s regional meeting on “Nourishing South Asia: Improving Diets and Reducing Micronutrient Deficiencies and Anaemia in Early Childhood in South Asia” in Kathmandu, Nepal. Her presentation “Protecting the diets of young children: Strengthening public sector policies and regulations” will focus on improving young children’s food environments through effective public sector policies and private sector practices. The meeting will bring together key stakeholders such as government policy makers, researchers, implementation champions, UN partners and development partners, who are working on multi-systems programming to improve the diets of young children and scaling up home fortification programmes. International Development Research Centre (IDRC) #nutrition #foodsecurity #UNSDGS #health #children #publichealth #SDGs #micronutrients #UNICEF #SouthAsia #lka #SriLanka #Asia #publicsector #research #policyresearch #irondeficiency #anaemia 

🌿 Harnessing the healing power of nature with Anamed Mukono 🌿 Together with our partner organization, Anamed Mukono, we're committed to transforming healthcare in East Africa through the cultivation and use of herbal remedies. Here’s how we’re making a difference: ☘ Focus on Artemisia annua: Promoting the cultivation of this powerful plant, known for its effectiveness in preventing and treating malaria. 🤝 Community education: Hosting seminars and workshops that empower locals with knowledge to grow and utilize Artemisia annua and other medicinal plants. 💊 Accessible healthcare: Our pharmacy provides these natural remedies, making them easily available to the communities we serve. 💪🏿 Self-Sufficiency: Encouraging sustainable practices and self-reliance by equipping people with the skills to improve their own health. ♻ Long-Term impact: Fostering a culture of self-reliance and sustainable living, leading to healthier communities across East Africa. Join us in our mission to improve healthcare and quality of life in East Africa. Together, we can make a lasting impact. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d_MY95b3 #AnamedMukono #HerbalMedicine #MalariaPrevention #SustainableHealthcare #CommunityEmpowerment #Balilwana #EastAfrica #SocialImpact #Future #Volunteer

LAUNCHED! Fortify Forward Innovation Challenge 2024 seeks to identify novel solutions that address micronutrient deficiencies that are impacting over 500 million people across Africa. We are looking for innovative ideas and working solutions in East and West Africa that are solving challenges to food fortification and biofortification to tackle hidden hunger. APPLY HERE: https://lnkd.in/dvm_P2s7. Application window closes 6 December 2024. Early applications are encouraged. This Challenge is organized by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and supporting partners. Now open in 8 Countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Benin and Nigeria. If you are working on innovative solutions to challenges in food fortification and biofortification, we want to hear from you. Winners get $5,000 each in financial support, experts mentorship and technical support and highlighted in global platforms. BE THE CHANGE! Be a part of the transformation in Africa with the #FortifyForward2024. Help improve access to essential vitamins and micronutrients for vulnerable populations with fortified foods and biofortified crops. You can apply under any of the 3 categories: 1. Profitable & sustainable business models to fortify food 2. Aggregation and/or segregation conundrum for biofortification 3. Innovative vehicles for food DON’T MISS the opportunity! Showcase your ideas and innovative working solutions. 👉 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/dvm_P2s7 #FortifyForward #Nutrition #Opportunity #Entrepreneurship

In a recent Subcounty Nutrition Coordination Committee in Maracha District meeting facilitated through the Right2Grow_Uganda program, in collaboration with the The Hunger Project-Uganda and Amani Initiative, critical gaps hindering WASH and nutrition outcomes were brought to light. With community members and leaders at the forefront, the meeting underscored the necessity of community involvement in identifying these challenges. As emphasized by one participant, "It's crucial to involve the community in pinpointing gaps. They are the ones experiencing the issues firsthand." Among the key gaps identified were issues such as the low yield of a borehole and inadequate nutrition knowledge among local leaders. These gaps, as highlighted during discussions, signify the importance of grassroots engagement in crafting effective solutions. One participant stressed, "Without community involvement, addressing these challenges becomes increasingly difficult. We need to empower local leaders with accurate data and knowledge." Proposed actions, including borehole enhancements and the reactivation of water user committees, reflect the commitment to community-centered solutions. By mobilizing local resources and expertise, the Right2Grow Uganda program aims to foster sustainable change. As echoed by another participant, "Our community holds the key to lasting improvements in WASH and nutrition. Through collective action and empowerment, we can build healthier and more resilient communities." #CommunityEngagement #NutritionAdvocacy #WASHImprovement #Right2GrowUganda

Bridging Policy Gaps in Addressing Undernutrition: Lessons from Sudan Sudan has long struggled with high levels of malnutrition, with fragmented policies and limited stakeholder engagement hampering effective interventions. During my tenure as the Policy Department Director, we recognized that a multi-sectoral approach was essential to tackle this deeply rooted issue. We convened diverse actors, leveraging the UNICEF Conceptual Framework for Nutrition UMCF to understand the underlying causes of stunting—a pervasive issue in Sudan despite decades of national efforts. Through collaborative brainstorming and a landmark stakeholders’ deliberation meeting, undernutrition was finally placed on the national agenda. This pivotal moment led to the inclusion of under-5 years free care in government policy and Sudan’s accession to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement. The impact was profound: for the first time, multi-sectoral planning for nutrition was recognized as a holistic approach, essential not just for development but also for humanitarian action. Today, as Sudan faces complex challenges, the lessons from our past efforts remain crucial. Effective nutrition interventions require a united front, with all relevant policy makers committed to placing nutrition as a national priority. The work done in Sudan serves as a blueprint for similar contexts—where the scale of undernutrition demands coordinated, multi-sectoral responses to create lasting change. The path forward is clear: As Sudan now grapples with severe hunger, it’s more important than ever to keep nutrition interventions at the forefront of both development and humanitarian efforts. #NutritionMatters #PublicHealth #Sudan #SUNMovement #PolicyMaking #GlobalHealth #Undernutrition

Exciting Update! We are pleased to share that we are implementing our nutrition awareness outreach in Ogun state. Why Ogun State? Despite efforts, Ogun State falls short of the global average concerning crucial indicators like Weight-for-Age Z-scores (WAZ) and Height-for-Age Z-scores (HAZ), which gauge short-term and longer-term nutritional statuses, respectively. FeedUp Africa is guided by research evidence, ensuring we make the greatest difference where it's needed most. We believe in meeting communities where they are. By partnering with the dedicated team at the Ofada Primary Health Care Centre, we're leveraging existing infrastructure to ensure seamless integration with healthcare services. It's about breaking down barriers and providing support directly to those who need it most. As part of our commitment to zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, we're focusing on providing child nutrition education to mothers and their children under five. By meeting them where they are, we're able to address their questions and concerns and provide hands-on support in a familiar and accessible environment. Join us as we continue to make a difference, one family at a time, in Nigeria and across the continent! #NutritionAwareness  #CommunityHealth  #CommunityNutrition #GlobalChildNutritionMonth #ChildHealth #MaternalHealth #ZeroHunger #GoodHealthAndWellbeing

Nutrition is a fundamental right, and it’s time to ensure no one is left behind. Through the Nutrition Mapping and Integration Project, Blooming World International is taking bold steps to improve health and nutrition for #women, #children, and #adolescentgirls across Africa. This initiative, active in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, tackles critical nutrition gaps by identifying areas for intervention, equipping staff with vital skills, and integrating nutrition into health programs. We’re aiming to impact more than 100 thousand  lives. By systematically addressing barriers to nutrition, we’re creating sustainable solutions for healthier, more resilient communities. Join us in advocating for improved nutrition services that can transform lives. Together, we can build a future where every child, mother, and adolescent girl has the chance to thrive. Let’s champion nutrition as the key to a healthier Africa. Read more about this transformative work 👇 https://bit.ly/49bVR44 #BWI #BloomingWorldInternational #NutritionMapping #NutritionMappingIntegrationProject #Nutrition #Health

CHOLERA AND INFLATION IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA : A CASE STUDY OF ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE Cholera, an acute diarrheal illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, remains a significant health threat in many parts of Nigeria. Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State in Southwestern Nigeria, has experienced periodic cholera outbreaks. Concurrently, Nigeria faces economic challenges including high inflation rates, oil prices, currency devaluation, and economic policies. Inflation impacts the cost of food, healthcare, and essential services, worsening the living conditions of many Nigerians. CHOLERA IN ABEOKUTA Cholera outbreaks in Abeokuta have been linked to several factors: 1.Water Contamination: Many residents rely on untreated water sources, which can be contaminated with cholera bacteria, especially during the rainy season when flooding can exacerbate the problem. 2.Sanitation Issues: Limited access to proper sanitation facilities leads to open defecation and the contamination of water sources. 3.Health Infrastructure: The healthcare system in Abeokuta, like in many parts of Nigeria, struggles with inadequate resources, making it difficult to effectively respond to outbreaks. IMPACT OF INFLATION ON CHOLERA RISK IN ABEOKUTA CHILDREN 1.Nutritional Vulnerability: Inflation leads to higher food prices, making it difficult for families to afford nutritious food. Malnourished children are more susceptible to infections, including cholera. 2.Healthcare Access: Rising healthcare costs due to inflation reduce access to medical treatment for children, who require prompt care to survive cholera-induced dehydration. 3.Sanitation and Hygiene: Inflation can limit investments in sanitation infrastructure and personal hygiene products, increasing the risk of cholera among children who may not practice adequate hygiene. ADULTS 1.Economic Pressures: Adults face increased stress and reduced capacity to seek medical treatment due to financial constraints. This can delay their response to cholera symptoms. 2.Occupational Risks: Adults working in environments with poor sanitation, such as informal markets or manual labor, are at higher risk of cholera exposure. MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR ABEOKUTA Water and Sanitation: Investing in clean water supply and sanitation facilities is crucial. Community-based initiatives to improve hygiene practices can reduce cholera transmission. Healthcare Access: Policies to subsidize healthcare costs and ensure the availability of cholera treatment, including oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and antibiotics are essential. CONCLUSION The interplay between cholera and inflation in Abeokuta, underscores the need for comprehensive public health strategies that address both economic and health challenges. Children are particularly vulnerable due to nutritional deficiencies and limited access to healthcare. Effective mitigation requires robust investments in water and sanitation infrastructure, affordable healthcare, and community education