BUJUMBURA April 20th (ABP) – The governor of Bujumbura province (western Burundi), Mr. Désiré Nsengiyumva, is concerned to see his province affected by many cases of malnutrition while almost all crops are grown there.
He points out that the communes located in the Imbo plain and in the Mirwa are very affected more than the Mugamba region. He calls on grassroots administrative officials, community health workers and agricultural monitors to play their role in supervising the people.
A check by ABP contacted the director of the health province of Bujumbura (DPS), Dr Joël Nibigira. He affirms that many cases of malnutrition are observed in the plain of Imbo and the Mirwa. He indicates that this is due to the fact that in some families, although a variety of dishes are available, they are not well prepared.
Dr. Nibigira revealed that this is not the only cause. He added that not taking all food categories, not eating grains and household conflicts are the other causes of malnutrition.
As for the provincial director of the Environment, Agriculture and Livestock (DPAEE), Mr. Daniel Mazarahisha, the causes of malnutrition differ according to regional specificities and eating habits.
In season A for example, with the maize harvest in the plain, the entire harvest is sold at the market for grilling, the people of Imbo do not eat maize grains or paste.
In the Mugamba region, in Mukike and Mugongomanga communes, cases of malnutrition are rare because the people consume cereals and vegetables.
In Kabezi commune, malnutrition strikes hard because they do not eat vegetables, they do not practice irrigation but nothing would justify the cases of malnutrition in Mutimbuzi and Mubimbi communes. They sell the entire harvest at the market and indulge in eating cassava paste and meat.
To eradicate this malnutrition, Governor Désiré Nsengiyumva recommends communal agronomists to ensure that agriculture and livestock are well done in the communes because there are households that are given chickens, goats and pigs to the solidarity chain and who sell them immediately.
He also urges village leaders and community health workers to regularly visit households and give the report in case of malnutrition as they do for other diseases.