The Civil Society Organization Scaling Up Nutrition (CSO-SUN) is concerned that the Ministry of Health budget for nutrition has dropped from K19.3 million in 2018 to K17.4 million in the 2019 national budget.

CSO-SUN Country Director Mathews Mhuru tells Money FM News that Zambia has one of the highest rates of chronic malnutrition or stunting rates across Africa with a staggering 40% of children are stunted.

This means that their bodies, brains and immune systems have not developed as they should.

Mr. Mhuru says reducing the levels of malnutrition in Zambia has been a key priority as evidenced at various moments including the National nutrition summit and the Vice president’s directive to permanent secretaries to improve nutrition funding.

“We note that the Budget speech did not appropriately address nutrition which is not consistent with the narrative of prioritisation, if we are truly to reduce all forms of malnutrition this needs to be reflected in the Budget speech. Major nutrition specific lines – including Infant and Young Child Feeding, Growth Monitoring and Promotion, Micronutrient have all received cuts, he said.

Mr. Mhuru notes that the budget line on Management of malnutrition has not been indicated in the Yellow book raising concern as to whether it will be adequately funded.

“The allocation to the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) has received an increment of K1million a great commitment to ensuring appropriate coordination on nutrition activity. He however notes that this remains significantly low to meet activities,” he said.

Mr. Mhuru further notes that taxation on powdered milk is commendable in particular as it relates to infant formula as it may encourage exclusive breastfeeding.

He recommends that similar taxation should be extended to unhealthy foods and monies realised be invested in nutrition interventions.