By Staff Reporter
A total of 1457 children died of acute malnutrition over the last years in South Africa, with the majority of them having severe acute malnutrition.
According to answers supplied by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng were the hardest hit with 265, 230, 190, and 172 deaths respectively since 1 January 2023 to 8 November 2024.
He was replying in written parliamentary to questions to the Democratic Alliance,
The minister also revealed that newborn mortality rates and stillbirth rates have shown a sight decline, and that “limited mechanisms were in place for ensuring that services for mothers and children were protected” given a declining budget and rising cost-of-living.
In 2023, a DA question revealed that 12,582 children died from severe and moderate acute malnutrition in the decade since 2013.
“Between 2018/19 and 2022/23, SAM rose by 26.3%. In 2022, 2.4 per
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
