KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — The Health Ministry (MOH) is facing challenges in ensuring effective interventions to combat child malnutrition, including stunting and obesity, as many parents do not bring their children for routine check-ups.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the success of these interventions depends on screening rates and the distribution of food baskets.
“The problem is that fewer children are being screened. This makes it difficult for us to provide guidance to parents and to distribute food baskets,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Lukanisman added that MOH does not have a dedicated food aid programme for children aged three and under, but is ready to consider introducing one.
He said the MOH currently runs several initiatives, including food aid through the Community Feeding Programme for Orang Asli children and those in People’s Housing Projects, as well as the Milk Assistance Programme for children aged six months to six years from low-income families at risk of nutrient deficiencies.
“The MOH will continue to improve existing programmes, including strengthening collaboration with non-governmental organisations, and expanding nutrition literacy programmes in communities to raise awareness of healthy eating,” Lukanisman said.
