At least three million children aged below five in Tanzania are stunted due to poor nutrition, a cabinet minister said on Monday.
Ummy Mwalimu, the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, said stunted children lacked body immunity, exposing them to diseases.
Speaking in Tanga region at the World Breastfeeding Week marked between Aug. 1 and Aug. 7, Mwalimu said the three million children were stunted after they lacked nutritious foods and breastfeeding by their mothers.
The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.
In line with this theme, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund have urged governments to protect and promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counseling, a critical component of breastfeeding support.
