The Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu announced last week at a Gauteng Legislature Health Committee that a total of 113 children died of malnutrition in Gauteng in the period April 2015 to March 2016.
MEC Mahlangu said that malnutrition cases were on the rise and an integrated approach had to be taken that included communities and the social development.
“I am horrified that so many children are dying of starvation in an urban province like Gauteng that has the resources to ensure that everyone is fed.”
According to a document presented, there were 3040 new cases of severe malnutrition, with 1512 admissions and 113 deaths due to severe acute malnutrition.
“Incorrect clinical assessment, classification and management of severe acute malnutrition are still a challenge.”
“The malnutrition death figures should be a wake-up call that more needs to be done to identify people at risk who need assistance.
“It also shows the urgent need for job creation so that people have money to feed themselves instead of relying on welfare,” said MEC Mahlangu.
