BY NALEDI DUBE
UNICEF is marking 30 years since the development of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a life-saving innovation that has transformed the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) worldwide and in Zimbabwe.
In Zimbabwe, RUTF has been central to the fight against child malnutrition since 2008, when the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with support from UNICEF, rolled out the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme. Since then, the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) programme has expanded to achieve 100 percent geographic coverage, ensuring nationwide access through public health facilities.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Kudzai Mukudoka -Mudukuti said Zimbabwe continues to face complex nutrition challenges driven by climate shocks and economic pressures.
“Zimbabwe experiences recurrent droughts, economic shocks, and food insecurity, which reduce household food availability and dietary diversity. These pressures increase the risk of acute malnutrition, particularly among young children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers,” she said.
She noted that over 23.8 percent of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition, while 6.1 percent are now overweight due to unhealthy diets.
Mukudoka-Mudukuti warned that overnutrition is increasingly contributing to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
“Ultra highly processed foods are contributing to these challenges. Families need to practise active feeding practices and understand the right types of food required for children’s growth and development,” she said.
She emphasised the importance of routine health check-ups for children, as well as improved water, sanitation, and hygiene as key components in addressing malnutrition.
“Children should frequently visit health facilities for check-ups, and proper water and sanitation must be prioritised if we are to effectively tackle malnutrition,” she added.
Despite the challenges, Zimbabwe has made notable progress. RUTF is now included on the national essential medicines supply list, strengthening its availability through the public health system, with UNICEF supporting procurement and distribution of supplies.
Mukudoka-Mudukuti stressed that addressing malnutrition is critical for Zimbabwe’s broader development goals.
“For Zimbabwe to achieve upper middle-income status, there must be strong measures to tackle malnutrition. Children need to reach their full physical and mental potential so they can contribute meaningfully to national productivity,” she said.
As the world marks the 30-year milestone of RUTF, UNICEF has called for sustained investment to ensure continued access, warning that rising demand and funding constraints could undermine progress made in saving children’s lives.
The organisation says the anniversary is both a celebration of innovation and a call to action to scale up efforts to end child malnutrition.