Road to accelerated reduction of childhood stunting in Tanzania
The Njombe story
A sweeping campaign was launched in the Njombe region, southern highlands of Tanzania, on 27 January 2024 as part of the Government's move to tackle the alarming rates of children with stunted growth in the country. Stunting remains a significant concern for child health and development and according to the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) of 2022, one third of children under 5 years of age are stunted.
In her virtual address at the launch, Her Excellency, President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized the critical need for community awareness on the best nutritional approaches to family diets, urging regional leaders to confront the root causes of stunting.
"Let us give our children and families a balanced diet rich in all essential nutrients," remarked President Samia.
Despite high food availability, Njombe is one of the regions with a high stunting prevalence above 50 per cent. The Regional Commissioner for Njombe, Honourable Anthony Mtaka, vowed to take lead in the stunting interventions.
“As the leader of this region, I will take the campaign further into the village. I want to personally talk to the people and explain why eating a balanced diet is important for the family.”
The residents of Njombe turned out in large numbers for the occasion. However, most were unaware of what stunting meant and its consequences.
"I did not know anything about stunting,” said Juliana, who brought her baby to the launch. “Today, I have learned how to breastfeed my child well, and prepare different nutritious foods for my family. I don't want my children to suffer from this condition.”
“As a father, it is my responsibility to do what the leaders are telling us about eating nutritious food,” said John after the launch. “I have learned today that pregnant women need a properly balanced diet for themselves and the baby.”
A child becomes stunted when they fail to reach their full growth potential due to poor nutrition, recurring infections, or inadequate psychosocial stimulation. This condition further hinders physical and mental development. The critical window for intervention is the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to the second birthday, when the foundations of optimal health, growth, and brain function begin to develop.
Tanzania has made significant progress in tackling childhood stunting, with a four per cent reduction in prevalence from 2015 to 2022, as reported in the TDHS 2022. However, investing in the health and nutrition of children is essential for developing the nation's human capital, which relies on people's well-being, knowledge, and abilities.
To advance this initiative, UNICEF has supported the Government of Tanzania in developing the Njombe Region Acceleration Stunting Reduction Roadmap 2023-2030, which outlines a holistic approach to improving child nutrition and health by securing political commitment, mobilizing funds, and developing strategic plans.
The roadmap provides a framework for accelerating stunting reduction through prevention and case management for the stunted children. It emphasizes the importance of building capacities, scaling quality integrated multisectoral interventions and services, enhancing early childhood development, driving behavioral change through effective communication strategies, and harmonizing reporting mechanisms. The goal is to reduce stunting in Njombe, document lessons learned, and replicate and scale its success countrywide.
"UNICEF will continue to provide technical support as the Njombe Region intensifies its efforts to reduce stunting," said Ruth Nkurlu, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, at the campaign launch. "We will advocate for the rights of all children and their well-being and ensure this is a Region where children can grow and thrive."
