New Program launched to curb child stunting in Rwanda

Launched in the Western province, Ngororero district, the program is expected to fast-track child stunting eradication in Western province for lowering it down to 19 per cent from 40 percent that was recorded previous year.

The program is also expected to be rolled out to other parts of the country where cases of child poor growth are rampant.

The Governor of the Western Province Lambert Dushimimana indicates that the rate of child stunting in the province had declined from 45 per cent in 2020 to 40 per cent in 2023.
The UNICEF says that the supplements contain 15 essential vitamins and minerals that are safe and effective for improving the diets and nutritional status of pregnant women. Women often suffer from different illnesses during pregnancy such as Anaemia, malnutrition, or deficiency in diet. This can potentially lead to giving birth to low birthweight child – an early form of malnutrition that increases a child’s chances of becoming wasted and stunted and suffering from growth and developmental delays.

Research shows that when MMS applied to mothers with such conditions, its benefits are even greater – with 19 per cent reduction in the prevalence of low birthweight, wasting and stunting.
The Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana urges stakeholders in the health sector to commit to uprooting stunting by leveraging on existing programs designed to promote healthy conditions of the people.
“Mothers are specifically urged to abide with instructive usage of this nutrition for better outcomes to their health and children,” Minister Nsanzimana said during the event to launch the program.

“We thank Ngororero district for improving stunting prevention measures that enabled reduction from 50.5 per cent to 10 per cent,” the Minister further noted.
Ngororero district is among seven districts with higher prevalence of stunting, holding 40 percent collectively. Other districts are Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Rubavu,Musanze, Burera and Gicumbi.
However, the prevalence of stunting in children under five years nationally decreased from 37.9% in 2015 to 33.1% in 2020, yet significant disparities exist in terms of geographic areas among provinces and districts, according to National Children Development Agency.

NCDA notes that the enabling factors to the reduction of child stunting include food security, presence of development partners, and good governance and leadership focusing on nutrition.