According to the World Bank’s 10th edition of the Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM), Malawi is losing an estimated $597 million (about K440 billion) annually due to poor childhood nutrition.

The report, titled ‘Strengthening Human Capital Through Nutrition’ says that over the past five years, 37% of children under the age of five continue to suffer from nutritional illnesses, meaning that Malawi has made very little progress towards reducing child stunting. The report highlights that an estimated 24% of children under six months of age are stunted, stressing that from that point, the rate continues to increase until the children reach approximately 30 months, after which there is a decline.

During the unveiling of the report, World Bank country manager Greg Toulmin outlined that stunting in children under five decreased from 47% in 2010 to 37% in 2015. Ministry of Health chief director Bestone Chisamile expressed that the results were disappointing and the ministry will act on the matter.