By Robert Manyara
Busia County, Kenya: The Busia County Department of Health and Sanitation has unveiled a new nutrition portal https://busiacounty.go.ke/nutritionhealth.
The portal aims at enhancing access to information and showcasing activities being undertaken to address malnutrition in the County.
Speaking during the official launch of the portal at the Busia County Referral Hospital (BCRH), County Nutrition Coordinator Scholastic Nabade said it will be a center of information that will be used to provide data on the status of nutrition besides tracking the progress.
“This portal will help improve the status and health of the population especially during this Coronavirus pandemic where nutrition plays a key role in the treatment of the disease,” she said.
Nabade noted that the portal will provide information on partners and their specific areas of support on nutrition activities, help in resource mobilization and attract investors interested in partnering with the County.
“We will have a platform to display nutrition activities being undertaken using the meager resources,” she added.
She further stressed that the portal will be vital in terms of capacity building as well as provide information to learners and researchers considering that other relevant materials including journals and case studies will also be uploaded.
Her remarks were echoed by the Deputy County Nutrition Coordinator Vincent Kwena, County Health Promotion Officer Nelson Andanje, and the County Health Administrator Ali Atemba who said it is a major milestone for the Department and the County at large.
He thanked the County Government of Busia and Nutrition International for their efforts towards the realization of the site which he said will play a significant role in improving nutrition in the County.
According to statistics, stunting prevalence in the county stands at 22 percent, children underweight (9%) while only 20 % access minimum dietary requirements.
Others present were Ag Director ICT Catherine Mubweka, Tito Kwena (County Nursing Coordinator), Faiza Barasa (Monitoring and Evaluation), and Gilbert Malala (School Heads Activities) among others.
