One in Two Children Under Five Suffer Malnutrition in Maniema

In the Maniema province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a staggering half of all children under the age of five are affected by chronic malnutrition, according to the 2024 nutritional survey. This alarming prevalence rate of 52.4% has prompted the launch of a critical training initiative.

The Program for Support for Inclusive and Resilient Rural Development (PADRIR) initiated a five-day training-of-trainers workshop on July 20 in Kindu. The program targets local nutritionists and focuses on infant and young child feeding practices, as well as community nutrition strategies. The central goal is to empower health professionals with the skills needed for effective intervention during the crucial "first thousand days" of a child's life, a period vital for development.

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This training of trainers was organized to respond to a significant challenge. After the 2024 nutritional survey, we observed a very high rate of chronic malnutrition in our intervention zone. Before launching nutrition activities, we deemed it essential to first strengthen the capacities of the relevant actors.

David Nzengu, a gender, targeting, and social inclusion advisor at PADRIR, explained the necessity of the training. "After the 2024 nutritional survey, we observed a very high rate of chronic malnutrition in our intervention zone. Before launching nutrition activities, we deemed it essential to first strengthen the capacities of the relevant actors," he stated. This technical retraining is particularly significant as it follows a long period where health worker capacity building in the province had been neglected.

The Provincial Minister of Health for Maniema, Dr. Alexis Tchomba, welcomed the initiative, noting its importance after years without such training. "We hope it will contribute to reducing the malnutrition rate and improving children's health," he said. Upon completion of the five-day session, the certified nutritionists will be tasked with disseminating this knowledge to healthcare providers across Maniema's various health zones, ensuring a sustainable, community-based response to malnutrition.

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It has been several years since this type of training has been organized in our province. As Provincial Minister of Health, I welcome this initiative. We hope it will contribute to reducing the malnutrition rate and improving children's health.