TAHA through UNDP support, in partnership with the government and other stakeholders held a nutrition and health awareness day on the 13th of November in Moshi DC to more than 400 community members at Makomu Secondary School, Kyalla Village, Marangu Magharibi Ward, Moshi District. The event, dubbed "Your Food, Your Immunity, Your Medicine" was officiated by the Moshi District Commissioner, Mr. Alhaj Mwangi R. Kundya as the chief guest among other stakeholders that included Tanzania Food and Nutrition Commission (TFNC), Nelson Mandela University (NM-AIS) and the World Vegetable Center (WVC) to provide nutrition and health education. Addressing the event, Mr. Kundya emphasized to the partcipnats that included women, men, and children, on the importance of proper nutrition for healthy and productive lives. “Malnutrition has serious health and economic consequences to the individuals, the family, the community, and the nation as a whole. There has been an increase in non-communicable diseases in our society such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and this is mostly attrinuted to lifestyle and poor diet, and especiallywhen we forget a bunch of vegetables and fruits in our diets.” Said Kundya Mr. Kundya commended the Government's efforts and other stakeholders led by TAHA for taking the initiative to lead the noble cause of health and nutrition education to the community to improve the quality of life. On her part, TAHA CEO, Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi urged the participants and the community at large to take deliberate action and increase the uptake of fruits and vegetables to improve their health. She added that TAHA has a gender and nutrition unit that focuses on and promotes proper nutrition of fruits and vegetables for improved body immunity to reduce incidences of non communicable diseases. Other issues that were highlighted during the event included eating habits of balanced food groups of special groups in society, particularly children under the age of five, expectant and lactating women. Nutritionists also advised on eating a balanced diet from five food groups to get all the nutrients the body needs for good health.
