GOVERNMENT SCALE UP NUTRITION

BY ANNIE ZULU

FORMATION  of a committee to specifically look at issues of nutrition in the country is underway, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba.

Ms Mwamba said Government recognised the important role good nutrition played in the lives of Zambians, especially children.

Minister Doreen Mwamba present a gift by outgoing UNICEF Representative Noala Skinner

 

She noted that nutrition was a critical part of health and development, as it help guard against malnutrition and prevent diseases.

The Minister said this during a farewell meeting for UNICEF Representative Noala Skinner at her office yesterday.

“President Hakainde Hichilema is putting in place a committee to look at nutrition seriously so that we lessen the pressure on health care systems because of preventable diseases  that come as a result of poor nutrition,” Ms Mwamba said.

She thanked UNICEF for its support towards the implementation of the First 1,000 Most Critical Days Program which aims at improving nutrition among  children.

Ms Mwamba further commended Ms Skinner for her advocacy and contribution to the Children’s Code Bill which would promote and protect  children’s warfare once enacted.

She said she was optimistic that the Bill would go through once it reaches Parliament.

And Ms Skinner said she was pleased with the progress made so far towards the Children’s Code Bill.

She said it was UNICEF’s wish to see Zambia have laws that protect the rights of children.

She further thanked the Ministry and Government for the support rendered to her during her tenure.

Government Intensifies Interventions To Mitigate Suicide Among Youths

 

By ANNIE ZULU

GOVERNMENT has intensified sensitisation programs and mental health services at health facilities as part of interventions put in place to mitigate suicide cases among the youth in the country, Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba has said.

Ms Mwamba said the growing number of suicide cases, particularly among  young people had become a matter of great concern which required special attention.

She said young people, who are the majority of Zambia’s population contribute significantly to national development and as such, the country was being deprived of its productive resources.

The Minister said this when she presented a Ministerial Statement on the suicide cases among the youth in Parliament yesterday.

Community Development and Social Services Minister Doreen Mwamba

Ms Mwamba attributed the increasing number of suicide cases among the youth, mainly to relationship breakups, economic hardships and sexual abuse.

She also mentioned social networks as a contributing factor through imitating and idealizing suicidal behaviour.

Ms Mwamba has since called on all stakeholders, including members of communities to get involved in the prevention of suicide among the youth and the general public, stressing  that it was not only Government´s responsibility but everyone´s.

“This involvement should be encouraged at household level, church and at any community gathering,” Ms Mwamba said.

She further stressed the need for restriction of access to commonly abused substances that are used to commit suicide in the country.