The care and nutrition that mothers and children receive during the first 1 000 days of a child’s life play a crucial role in shaping their growth and learning trajectory. But South Africa is facing a malnutrition crisis, with recent figures revealing one in four has limited access to food. Malnutrition is one of the major drivers of stunting – a (largely preventable) condition where young children are too short for their age and do not reach their full growth potential due to chronic nutritional deprivation, often made worse by repeated infections. The country has a persistently high stunting rate, with more than a quarter of children under five years of age affected.
This learning brief looks at how Grow Great, Philani and One To One Africa (OTOA) are supporting community health workers with the training and equipment they need to prioritise maternal and child health and reduce malnutrition.
To read this learning brief, download a PDF, or read it magazine-style on ISSUU here.
