420 children under the age of 5 years died from malnutrition last year in Fiji.
Dr Joseph Kado, Head of Department Paedeatrics CWM hospital, revealed these statistics at the Save the Children Fiji Race for Survival.
He said the problem of children having malnutrition or being under nourished is due to a lack of good nutrition knowledge by parents.
Often the majority of those presented at hospitals with severe malnutrition, come from homes that do not have the means to put the right types of food on their table.
Next year, a Community Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses will be rolled out and this is to help community members and nurses to detect illnesses and get them treated early.
Work is also being done with the Ministry of Education to strengthen the school canteen policy to promote healthy eating habits.
Story by: Gwen MC Goon
