35 die from malnutrition in Erongo

SWAKOPMUND – Thirty-five children under the age of five died from malnutrition in Erongo between 2024 and July 2026, while 450 others were admitted for malnutrition-related conditions during the same period.

The figures were presented by Tuyenikelao Mwashekele, chief health programme officer from the Family Health Division at the Erongo Directorate of Health yesterday during the monthly regional council meetings in Swakopmund.

According to Mwashekele, young children remain particularly vulnerable because of their high nutritional needs during the early stages of life in the region.

Of this figure, 18 occurred in 2024, 10 in 2025 and seven between January and July this year.

“We recorded 192 admissions among children under five in 2024, followed by 163 admissions in 2025 and 95 admissions during the first seven months of 2026,” she said.

According to her, Swakopmund accounted for 11 of the 35 deaths, while Walvis Bay recorded 13 deaths during the period. The remaining 11 deaths were recorded in other districts in the region.

Swakopmund recorded 78 malnutrition admissions and three deaths in 2024, followed by 80 admissions and five deaths in 2025. By July this year, the district had recorded another 46 admissions and three deaths, she explained.

Walvis Bay recorded 61 admissions and eight deaths in 2024. The number of admissions dropped to 40 in 2025, with two deaths recorded. During the first seven months of 2026, the district recorded 30 admissions and three deaths.

Together, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay accounted for 335 of the 450 admissions recorded in the region during the period, showing the burden carried by the two coastal towns.

“Children under five are among the vulnerable groups because they have a high need for proper nutrition to support their growth and development,” she said.

The region’s malnutrition incidence rate among children under five stood at 3.7% in 2024 before increasing slightly to 3.9% in 2025. It then declined to 2.5% during the period from January to July 2026.

She told the council that the health directorate continues to face challenges that can make it difficult for families to provide children with adequate nutrition.

These include poor dietary diversity, limited nutrition awareness, rising food prices, limited household income and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.

“Limited community health workers and inadequate community outreach are also some of the challenges the region faces,” she said.

She also said limited supplies of therapeutic formulas used in the treatment of malnutrition and inadequate follow-up of some children after treatment are additional challenges the region faces to address malnutrition.

Mwashekele said communities themselves could play an important role in addressing malnutrition through initiatives such as backyard and community gardens, soup kitchens, breastfeeding support and appropriate complementary feeding.

“Consistent health education on nutrition is needed both at health facilities and during community gatherings,” she said. Mwashekele also appealed that addressing malnutrition should not be left to health facilities alone, as communities and other stakeholders also had an important role to play.

“Coordinated multi-sectoral interventions are needed to improve nutritional outcomes, and stakeholder collaboration is essential for sustainable impact,” she said.

– edeklerk@nepc.com.na

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