113 Children die of malnutrition in Gauteng 

30 October 2016

A total of 113 children have died of malnutrition in Gauteng in the period April 2015 to March this year.

This shock figure was disclosed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu last week on Friday at a Gauteng Legislature Health Committee meeting held in public in Orange Farm.

According to a document presented, there were 3040 new cases of severe malnutrition, with 1512 admissions and 113 deaths due to severe acute malnutrition.

Furthermore: "Incorrect clinical assessment, classification and management of severe acute malnutrition (are) still a challenge."

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.

The malnutrition death figures should be a wake-up call that more needs to be done to identity 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.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 30 October 2016