Malnutrition concerns in Kitui over drought

Kitui county population is facing a malnutrition crisis due to the current severe drought, the County Executive for Health Dr Winnie Kitetu has said.

“Kitui is among the 23 counties in Kenya facing  severe drought after four failed rainfall seasons. We are registering an increasing number of malnourished children in our health facilities,” said the County health chief in a statement on Sunday.

Kitetu said as the situation threatens to aggravate, the County government in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) had trained health workers on how to manage acute malnutrition among children, pregnant women and lactating mother at health facilities.

The CECM was reacting to media inquiries on the state of malnutrition in Kitui.

She said through collaboration with the WFP, heath workers will be provided with commodities to address malnutrition.

She said plans were on course to cushion the over 80 per cent of the population in Kitui that is malnourished. “The target is to reach over 80 per cent of all malnourished population,” she said.

The CECM said it was not currently definite what percentage of the Kitui populace was affected by malnutrition as a survey was yet to be carried.

She added that sooner than later a mass screening would be carried out to establish the actual percentage of the malnourished.

Last week, about 180 health workers from across the county were taken through a two-day intensive training on how to manage acute malnutrition at a Kitui hotel.

“The objective of this two-day training is equip you (healthcare worker) with technical skills and knowledge on how to handle and manage acute malnutrition among children under five years, pregnant and lactating mothers in our county,” said Kitetu when she opened the training.

She also disclosed then that Governor Julius Malombe was keen to fully implement supplementary feeding programme, where over 5,000 children under five years, 1,300 pregnant and lactating mothers would benefit for nine months.

WFP Associate Fidelia Mwende who was present, said the commodities for the supplementary feeding are in the process of disbursement from the warehouse to the various healthcare facilities across Kitui county.