Publications

Between 17 and 20 September last year, in the district of Ancuabe, an evaluation of the functioning processes, needs and response of health services was carried out with a view to reducing and preventing malnutrition. This diagnosis, results of which are now being released, involved the participation of several district services (SDSMAS, SDPI, SDAE, SDEJT), Health Committees, caregiving mothers from four villages and some NGOs operating in that district (Wiwanana Foundation, SolidarMed and Aga Khan). The survey concluded that the lack of knowledge about how to prepare and preserve food, the restriction of consumption of some foods due to myths, taboos, habits and customs, illiteracy and insufficient water sources and dams for irrigation, are the aspects that most contribute to the prevalence of malnutrition in Ancuabe.

In August 2019, the Namuno district underwent a study to identify the needs and problems that contribute to the high rate of malnutrition in the population. Based on the results obtained, medicusmundi, together with the Multisectorial Group, defined an Action Plan to improve the capacity to respond to this problem. The working group involved different District Services (SDSMAS, SDPI, SDAE and SDEJT) and NGOs such as the Wiwanana Foundation, SolidarMed and the World Food Program (WFP). The improvement of collaboration and information sharing on the different actors was one of the aspects that deserved greater attention, resulting in the creation of a Technical Group to ensure joint planning, data crossing and more effective action in communities. Among the activities defined, training and awareness-raising activities are highlighted, namely lectures and campaigns on nutrition, culinary demonstrations, radio debates and the creation of nutrition groups in schools. It should also be noted the need to assess the levels of production and nutritional security in the community and to form water committees.

Associations and legislation are part of the objective of making the artisanal mining activity more dignified. One of the vectors used to achieve this objective is the promotion of associations among mining operators. Therefore, in a nutshell, this brochure presents the main aspects of associativism.

Based on the diagnosis made in September 2019, in November of the same year the Multisectorial Group, composed of the District Services (SDSMAS, SDPI, SDAE and SDEJT), the Wiwanana Foundation, Solidarmed and Aga Khan prepared, together with medicusmundi, an Action Plan to improve the fight against malnutrition. The objective was to establish easy ways of intervening, with concrete and coordinated actions between all sectors, giving particular importance to training, awareness, education and supervision activities. Of this plan stands out the holding of regular lectures in the communities, with the inclusion not only of women, but also of the heads of families (men), as one of the key actions to prevent and reduce malnutrition in this district. Also noteworthy is the decision to set up a Technical Group to resolve the lack of coordination previously identified between the different actors, which will now hold meetings for planning and assessing activities at district level.