Kavango East Region has so far recorded 15 mortalities due to malnutrition.

This was shared during an engagement meeting between the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality Social Development and Family Affairs, the Health Directorate, and stakeholders at Rundu. 

The malnutrition cases in the Kavango East Region were at their peak last year, with 2,716 people affected and 30 deaths recorded.

This year, 15 mortalities were recorded, with about 14,000 people affected by malnutrition. 

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development, and Family Affairs has recommended a series of measures aimed at combating malnutrition in Namibia. 

One of the key recommendations is the enactment of laws to promote, protect, and support child nutrition, emphasising the importance of legislation in safeguarding the nutritional needs of Namibian children. 

A total of 191,353 children were screened between January and June this year, of whom 10,151 were treated for malnutrition in the country.

Addressing malnutrition in Namibia requires a multi-sectoral and 'whole of society' approach.

This would involve dealing with the root causes of malnutrition and a lack of an adequate diet.

To effectively fight malnutrition, stakeholders need to collaborate and ensure effective and successful utilisation of resources.

Robust social safety nets are encouraged to respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable communities that are affected by climatic conditions, and a lack of water, tools, or seeds to grow their own produce.

The Omaheke Region has registered 11 new cases of malnutrition and one death during the months of July and August, while 45 children under the age of five died from malnutrition-related conditions in the region this year.

The new statistics were shared during a courtesy visit to the region by Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah.

The Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) says 600 children die from malnutrition-related deaths annually.

Forty malnutrition-related deaths under the age of five have been reported in the Omaheke Region in the past four months.

The deaths were recorded at health facilities in Omaheke between December last year and March this year.

The Director of NAFSAN said this while addressing the media engagement on Namibia's Nutrition and Food Security Crisis in Windhoek.

45 children under the age of five died from malnutrition-related conditions in the Omaheke Region this year.

The Health Director, Jeremia Shikulo, said the region has recorded 132 cases of malnutrition since January.

In a telephone interview with the nbc News team, Shikulo revealed that malnutrition has become a concern in the region owing to a lack of proper diet.

Shikulo added that despite the increase in malnutrition cases, the region's team is also working tirelessly to remedy the situation with soup kitchens and community gardens.