The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS has called for stronger coordination across government ministries to tackle malnutrition in Tanzania, urging authorities to prioritise practical interventions, improve nutrition data and strengthen the implementation of national policies.
The committee said addressing nutrition challenges required a coordinated approach involving the health, agriculture, transport, trade and education sectors, with each institution clearly accountable for its role in improving the nutritional status of Tanzanians.
Speaking during discussions on the Ministry of Health’s report on the national nutrition improvement plan and strategy on October 15, 2026, committee chairperson Dr Zeyana Hamid stressed the need for reliable data and research to identify nutrition gaps and inform effective interventions.
She emphasised the importance of focusing on challenges that could be addressed through practical, achievable measures to improve nutrition outcomes among citizens.
The committee also called for the strengthening of the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre to enhance coordination among institutions responsible for nutrition programmes and ensure that interventions across different sectors complement one another.
It further urged the government to finalise the National Food and Nutrition Policy, saying a comprehensive policy framework would help clarify institutional responsibilities, improve coordination and guide the implementation of nutrition programmes.
The lawmakers also raised concerns over the availability of nutrition professionals, calling for strategies to address staffing shortages and expand access to quality nutrition services.
They stressed that nutrition should be better integrated into routine healthcare, including the assessment of patients’ nutritional status during diagnosis and treatment, as well as the provision of appropriate professional advice.
The committee further called for stronger food fortification programmes to increase the availability of essential vitamins and minerals in commonly consumed foods.
At the same time, it urged greater promotion of locally available and traditional foods as part of efforts to improve dietary quality and public health.
The recommendations point to the need for a coordinated national response that combines stronger policy implementation, adequate staffing, reliable evidence and the promotion of nutritious foods to address malnutrition and improve the health and wellbeing of Tanzanians.