Kitui has made significant strides in improving the nutritional status of its population, according to the latest Kenya Health Demographics report by the Ministry of Health.
During the Nutrition Improvement Through Cash and Health Education (NICHE) meeting held in Mombasa on Thursday 4th, May and graced by Health CS Dr. Nakhumicha Wafula, Labour and Social Protection CS Hon. Florence Bore and Governors of five selected counties (Kitui, Kilifi, Turkana, West Pokot and Marsabit), stakeholders were impressed by the county’s reduction in stunting from 45.8% to 25.1% presently making the county top among the said counties.
The project aims at ensuring most vulnerable children in the intervention areas show improved wellbeing in areas of nutrition, socio protection and child protection.
The rationale for selecting the 5 counties was the prevailing high rates of chronic (stunting) and acute malnutrition affecting children aged below 5 years.
Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe (EGH) who is in attendance has received accolades from the Ministry and development partners for the county’s performance in the project that he initiated in 2016. Employment of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) then, now referred to as Community Health Promoters (CHPs) is the main contributor towards this success.
Other Governors in attendance include CoG Vice Chairperson and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Marsabit’s Mohamud Ali, West Pokot’s Simon Kachapin among others.
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