Project set to address nutrition,hygiene in Mangochi District

Nutrition International Malawi, WaterAid and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) will run Increased Gains in Nutrition by Integration, Education, Evaluation and Empowerment (Ignit 3) project in Mangochi to improve nutrition and hygiene in the district.

Briefing Mangochi District Executive Committee Meeting on Saturday, Nutrition International Malawi project director Janet Guta said the project was expected to benefit 200 000 women, adolescent girls and under-five children in Mangochi, Blantyre, Mzimba North, Lilongwe and Mchinji with funding from Global Affairs Canada.

She said: “We are jointly implementing the project to benefit marginalised people and one of the districts is Mangochi.

“Almost 200 000 people will benefit from the project while the total number for each district, including Mangochi, will be determined by formative research to be conducted within the first year of implementation.”

Guta said the project will target areas that are far or near health facilities, but have negative attitude about nutritional products.

She said the project will distribute zinc and oral rehydration solutions to people to prevent diarrhoea.

WaterAid hygiene behaviour change specialist Maria Soko said the project will also rehabilitate water and sanitation systems and waste management facilities in two health facilities in Mangochi.

She also said the project will address maternal issues in Mangochi where adolescent girls are not observing child spacing.

Mangochi district information officer Bishop Witmos, who is also a member of district social mobilisation committee, commended the consortium for the project.