Huambo: At least 476 children, mostly fewer than five years old, have died from malnutrition in central Huambo province from January to the present date, compared to 286 deaths recorded in 2024. The information was disclosed Wednesday to ANGOP by the local supervisor of the Nutrition program, C¡rmen Mossovela Catumbela, adding that the deaths resulted from 5,596 diagnosed cases, compared to 4,526 the previous year.

According to Angola Press News Agency, malnutrition is often linked with other diseases, such as malaria and early weaning, which is considered the main cause of the children’s deaths. Catumbela pointed out that the municipalities of Ca¡la, Huambo, and Londuimbali are the most concerning in terms of child malnutrition cases.

To address this issue, health authorities are intensifying awareness campaigns in communities, particularly in rural areas, focusing on primary health care and healthy eating using local products. Catumbela expressed that many families, despite having access to a variety of foods like tubers, pumpkins, soybeans, legumes, and vegetables, do not recognize their nutritional value or how to prepare them to maximize nutrient supply for children.

Catumbela emphasized that combating malnutrition requires coordinated efforts among the State, families, and civil society. The province of Huambo, located in the Central Plateau of Angola, has 13 specialized nutrition units distributed across 11 of its 17 municipalities.