Growing up as a young girl in Africa, Amara dreamt of becoming a doctor but her dreams seemed far-fetched. She came from a very poor family that struggled to eat one meal a day and cater for their basic needs.
Her parents worked hard but their income was barely enough to sustain the family, they couldn’t afford healthy and nutritious meals. As a result, Amara and her siblings often became sick, and their education suffered. They missed school days and when they did attend, they struggled to concentrate.
As soon as Amara’s village received a health and nutrition intervention from the government things started to get better. This provided access to healthcare services, including vaccinations and regular check-ups, as well as training on proper nutrition practices and the benefits of a balanced diet. Amara’s family began to see significant improvement in their health and general well-being. They were no longer plagued by frequent illnesses, Amara’s grades improved and she began to excel in school.
The above story could be a reflection of the daily struggles of most people across Africa.
Health and nutrition are critical drivers of human capital development. A healthy and well-nourished population is essential for economic growth and development, as it enables people to participate fully in the workforce, contribute to their communities, and realize their full potential. When people are malnourished, they are bound to be unproductive as they spend more time being sick and looking for solutions to their ailments.
Investing in health and nutrition is not just the right thing to do; it is also smart economics. Studies have shown that every dollar invested in nutrition interventions can yield a return of up to 5% in increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs. However, despite the clear benefits, many countries in Africa continue to face significant challenges in this regard. According to the World Health Organization, more than 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to essential health services, and malnutrition remains a significant public health concern.
Some African countries that intentionally invested in Health and Nutrition with remarkable results include:
Rwanda: has made significant progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes. According to UNICEF, between 2000 and 2019, Rwanda’s under-five mortality rate declined from 152 to 38 per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the country has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of stunting among children under five, which declined from 43% in 2010 to 29% in 2019.
Nigeria: in recognition of the role of Health and Nutrition in Human Capital development has implemented its National Home Grown School Feeding Program, which attempts to provide at least one nutritious meal a day while keeping students in school. This is in addition to other maternal care efforts.
At EGDC, we believe that investing in human capital development is essential for creating sustainable and inclusive growth. Through our Human Capital Global Partnerships program, we work closely with our clients to develop customized solutions that are tailored to their unique needs. As a Local or State government, if you are looking to improve access to healthcare services, promote or create community-based health and nutrition programs, we have the expertise and partnerships to help you achieve your goals.