CSONA calls for increased nutrition budget
Civil Society Organisation Nutrition Alliance (CSONA) has persuaded the Parliamentary Committee on Nutrion, HIV and Aids to lobby for increased budgetary allocation towards nutrition in line with what was committed during the nutritional summit.
CSONA National Coordinator, Tisungeni Zimpita urged Members of Parliament to speak with one voice and ensure that the nutrition budget increases.
Giving the 2017/2018 budget analysis, on behalf of CSONA, Monila Abdulla, said it is unfortunate that Ministry of Health is prioritizing funding Capital Hill at the expense of funding Hospitals.
“For example, Ministry of Health Headquarters has been located K10 Billion which is 78% of the total budget which is very sad indeed,” said Abdulla.
Ms Abdulla said Queen, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu Central Hospitals have been given inadequate funds.
“Why giving such huge money to Ministry Headquarters and yet hospitals are underfunded,” said Abdulla.
Abdullah said the allocation tertiary health care has been stopped .We need to find out what has become of tertiary referrals without any allocation. On top of that Abdulla said ORT allocation is inadequate in most hospitals and in some cases food for patients is literary unavailable.
Save the Children Country Director, Tina Yu, while commending Government and Civil Society Organizations for reducing stunting from 47% in 2010 to 37% at the moment.
“Ladies and Gentlemen it is pleasing to note that the 2015/2016 Malawi Demographic Health Survey findings show that the rate of stunting has reduced to 37% from 47% recorded in 2010. New statistics show that as a country we are making positive strides to combat under nutrition,” said Ms Yu.
Making her contribution, Women Caucus Parliamentary Chair, Dr Jessie Kabwira said it is very unfortunate that Malawi as a country can sink so low and prioritize procurement of Luxury vehicles instead of supporting key pillars like hospitals.
Kabwira commended the interface describing it as an eye opener.
Deus Gumbwa Banda the chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Nutrition and HIV and Aids commended CSONA for the interface described it as an eye opener. Gumbwa promised to lobby Ministry of Finance to consider revising the budget.
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for the country to move forward it depends on the human power. the country which has stunting man power that country is also stunted.