Tanzania: Singida Pushes Results-Based Nutrition Budget

Singida Regional Nutrition Committee has urged the 2026/27 budget to be a key driver for enhancing nutrition initiatives and achieving quantifiable outcomes in the battle against malnutrition. Dr Fatuma Mganga, the chairperson of the committee, emphasized that nutrition should not be considered solely a health issue but a crucial development goal necessitating collaboration across all sectors to create a healthy population, a skilled workforce, and a thriving economy.

She opened a recent Regional Nutrition Committee meeting for the January-March 2026 quarter at the Singida Regional Commissioner's Office, stressing the necessity of deliberate investment in planning and financing to effectively combat malnutrition. Dr Mganga highlighted that while child stunting rates had decreased from 29% to 25.7% in Singida, the prevalence remained high and demanded urgent attention via a results-oriented budget.

The committee urged sectors to contribute measurably to improving nutrition outcomes and stressed the importance of dedicated funds for school nutrition campaigns, maternal and child health services, and better collaboration among health, education, and agriculture sectors to promote access to healthy food. The committee also pledged to closely monitor nutrition indicators and ensure implementation reports demonstrate tangible improvements in people's lives, not just statistics.

The meeting concluded with a decision to make the 2026/27 budget a results-based nutrition budget focused on reducing malnutrition, enhancing maternal and child health, and fostering a healthier, more productive society.