Nairobi – In response to the growing crisis of acute malnutrition in Turkana County, the Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, has flagged off a substantial supply of ready-to-use therapeutic food nutritional supplements.

According to Kenya News Agency, during her speech at Afya House in Nairobi, Muthoni underscored the severe global impact of malnutrition, stating that it accounts for 45% of deaths among children under five years old. She pointed out the long-term effects of malnutrition, including hindered educational achievement, impaired cognitive development, an increased risk of chronic diseases, and reduced economic productivity.

A food security and nutrition situation assessment conducted in July 2023 revealed alarming figures. Approximately 945,610 children aged between 6-59 months in Kenya are acutely malnourished, primarily due to prolonged drought conditions and five consecutive failed rainy seasons since 2021. Muthoni noted that 23% of these children are malnourished and in urgent need of treatment using ready-to-use therapeutic food.

Moreover, Muthoni disclosed that 2,000,786 people, about 17% of the population, are experiencing high acute malnutrition and require immediate intervention. Turkana County is among the hardest hit, with 103,322 children aged 6-59 months needing prompt treatment.

In collaboration with UNICEF, the State Department is taking proactive steps to mitigate this crisis. Muthoni announced the dispatch of 3,597 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food, valued at 27,876,000, to 177 health facilities in Turkana and 1,447 cartons to 69 facilities in Baringo County. These supplies are anticipated to treat 5,044 children suffering from acute malnutrition in these counties.

In addition, through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), 1,142 cartons have been sent to 141 health facilities in other parts of the country, targeting the treatment of 356 affected children.