MoH stresses importance of nutrition amidst environmental crisis

The Ministry of Health, as conveyed by the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, is underlining the urgency of addressing nutrition concerns amidst the environmental challenges triggered by floods, landslides, and food insecurity.

It was stated that pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children are particularly susceptible to nutritional deficiencies during such emergencies.

Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, issued an advisory, offering specific guidance for each vulnerable group.

This encompassed recommendations to seek assistance from health service providers or humanitarian organizations within displacement camps, to maintain intake of essential supplements, to increase meal intake to support nutrition, to ensure hydration, and to adhere to exclusive breastfeeding practices.

Additionally, it was reported that the Ministry has outlined a series of actions taken as part of its flood response efforts.

These actions included coordinating meetings, prepositioning of nutrition commodities, launching malnutrition screening initiatives, planning for mass screening in displacement camps, conducting rapid assessments, repurposing health and nutrition outreaches, and monitoring violations of regulations prohibiting inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children.

The PS emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding the nutritional well-being of mothers, infants, and young children during these challenging times.

The Ministry’s advisory was highlighted as a timely intervention to mitigate the impact of the ongoing long rains on the health and nutrition of vulnerable populations across the country.