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The Ministry of Health and Wellness’s joined in this year’s celebrations of Youth Day on the 22nd of June 2018, under the theme “Leave no child behind for African Development”.

When addressing the youth, the Assistant Minister Reverend Biggie Butale, stated that the Day of the African Child celebrates the children of Africa and calls for a serious introspection and commitment towards addressing the numerous challenges facing children across the continent.

He added that statistics dating back to 2011 indicated that the mortality rate was 28 deaths per 1000 live births. “Our program data shows that 70% of children die from preventable causes of death’’ he said. This he said includes cases of malnutrition, diarrhoea and respiratory illness in both infants and young children. Honourable Butale continued to say that the major causes of death in the neonatal period is premature births, sepsis and birth asphyxia and this accounts for more than 60% of all deaths. Furthermore he explained that his Ministry has one of the biggest number of youth with over 100 in the Internship Programme and with many more working as temporary and permanent staff. “This is a group that is at child bearing stage and they are faced with maternal and neonatal health issues”, he noted.

He continued to say that it is urgent for their planning to be focused on managing this area to secure the future of children, hence they are there to impart knowledge unto the youth so that they are well equipped on how to take care of themselves and their families. Read more...