Zambia needs 1,000 Nutritionists

Zambia needs 1,000 Nutritionists

Lusaka, August 21, ZANIS—The National Food and Nutrition Commission of Zambia says the country requires a total of 1360 nutritionists in order to effectively address the nutrition challenges being experienced in the country.

Commission Chairman Professor Chifumbe Chintu says the country currently has a total of 149 qualified nutritionists creating a shortfall of 1,211 nutritionists.

Professor Chintu charged that lack of adequate trained nutritionists in key sectors such as health, agriculture and training institutions has remained a major challenge causing malnutrition especially among children and women in the country.

He observed that poor household diets has remained as among the top causes of malnutrition among children in the country.

ZANIS Reports that Professor Chintu said this in Lusaka today at a media briefing on the Status of Nutrition in Zambia.

And Professor Chintu observed that marital statuses with single parent especially women who are not in gainful economic activities have also contributed to the rising number of malnourished children in the country.

He however said government has embarked on the review of the National Food and Nutrition Strategic Plan of 2012 to 2015 in order to effectively respond to the emerging nutritional challenges in the country.