Dr. Crescent Tumuhaise, the Head of Medics at the medical camp, said that the camp was treating all ailments, however, the majority of the children attended were diagnosed with acute malnutrition, with an average of 20 having mild malnutrition.
At least 50 cases of malnutrition among children were registered during a health medical camp
in Ntungamo district. The camp was held on Saturday at Rushooka Parish in Rubaare Sub County and was organised by the
Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association-AMDA.
Dr. Crescent
Tumuhaise, the Head of Medics at the medical camp, said that the camp was
treating all ailments, however, the majority of the children attended were
diagnosed with acute malnutrition, with an average of 20 having mild
malnutrition.
He said that
most of them were referred to other facilities for further care.
//Cue in:
“We are treating…
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…get continuous support.”//
Naome
Kabasharira, the Member of Parliament for Rushenyi County, said that limited access to information on nutrition coupled with parental ignorance, are some of the factors fuelling rising cases of malnutrition in the district.
According to Kabasharira, many
families are now selling all their harvests to generate income. She added that Ntungamo district is facing a shortage of land to
grow nutritious foods like millet due to the increasing population.
//Cue in:
“Malnutrition nokurya kubi…
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…ekirisa ekihikire kurungi.”//
Twesigye
Nesiterio, the Ntungamo District Health Educator, confirmed the high
malnutrition cases in Ntungamo. However, he said that they have started implementing the district chairperson’s directive to have demonstration gardens
at Health centres.
He explained
that the gardens would be used to educate mothers about the appropriate foods
to feed their children.
//Cue in:
“amarwariro gaitu goona…
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…kututeza orutambwe ruhango.”//
He advised
parents not to sell all of their crops but rather store some to feed their children.
AMDA leaders said that the camp's overwhelming numbers indicated an urgent need
for government intervention in health centres, including providing sufficient
drugs and medical equipment.
