The Gauteng Health Department has urged parents to report cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition among children earlier, to prevent future complications.
In the previous financial year, the department reported over 1000 malnutrition cases . The highest incidences occurred in the Cities of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
The Departments spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says Severe Acute Malnutrition is a critical health issue that leads to extreme weight loss, leaving affected children more vulnerable to infections such as diarrhoea and tuberculosis.