The Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC) has called for increased funding towards child nutrition and rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities.
PMRC Executive Director Bernadette Zulu told Money FM News that once increased, the funds can go towards expansion of rehabilitation centers which are usually far especially in rural areas and employing of more nutritionists and nurses that support children with disabilities in communities.
Mrs. Zulu said there was need for Government to consider using the multi-sectorial approach in funding towards nutrition programmes stating that the individual budgetary allocations to ministries are unlikely to reinforce one another as resources are being spread thinly.
“The multi-sectorial approach will in turn lead to nutrition-specific budgeting, reporting and tracking thereby realizing value for money of nutrition interventions,” Mrs. Zulu said.
She also called for deliberate efforts towards nutrition education for mothers and caregivers of children with disabilities through the Social Cash Transfer Scheme, which deliberately targets households that have such children.
“Caregivers can be trained in food preparation and food requirements for children with disabilities in order to improve nutrition among them”.
Mrs. Zulu further urged Government to consider formulating and implementing a Social Protection Policy for persons living with disabilities. This policy will improve programme targeting for persons with all forms of disabilities.