The Erongo region's Usakos district has recorded the highest child malnutrition incidence rate over the past three years, despite having fewer cases than larger districts. According to the Erongo health directorate, Usakos had a malnutrition incidence rate of 7.2% in 2024, 5.3% in 2025, and 4% between January and July this year. This is significantly higher than the regional incidence rate of 3.7% in 2024, 3.9% in 2025, and 2.5% in the first seven months of this year.
Tuyenikelao Mwashekele, the chief health programme officer of the family health division at the Erongo Directorate of Health, says Usakos requires urgent attention due to its high malnutrition rate relative to its small population. In 2024, the district recorded 30 malnutrition admissions among children under five, followed by 24 in 2025, and 11 between January and July 2026. Unfortunately, one child died from malnutrition in Usakos during the first seven months of this year, adding to the four deaths in 2024 and two in 2025.
The Erongo health directorate's presentation identifies Karibib, Hakhaseb, and Otjimbingwe as malnutrition hotspots in the Usakos district. While Swakopmund recorded the highest number of malnutrition cases in the region in 2024 and 2026, with 535 and 221 cases respectively, and Walvis Bay recorded 592 cases in 2025, Usakos had the highest incidence rate during each of the three periods. Mwashekele attributes malnutrition in the Erongo region to several factors, including inadequate dietary intake, childhood illnesses, and poor infant feeding practices.
Household poverty and food insecurity are also significant contributors to malnutrition in the region. The assessment notes that poor sanitation and hygiene, limited nutrition education, limited access to health services, rising food prices, and growing informal settlements exacerbate the issue. Furthermore, gaps within the healthcare system, such as limited supplies of special therapeutic formulas used to treat malnutrition, limited community outreach capacity, and a shortage of community health workers, hinder efforts to address malnutrition.
Mwashekele highlights the need for robust healthcare follow-up on malnutrition cases. To address these challenges, the directorate recommends increasing the recruitment of community health workers, improving transport for outreach services, and providing consistent nutrition education at health facilities and community gatherings. Additionally, regional and local authorities are urged to support community gardens and drought-relief food programmes to assist vulnerable households.
The 2024 Smart survey conducted in Erongo found that 26.6% of children in the region were stunted, classified as high by the World Health Organisation. The survey also revealed that 25.6% of children experienced severe food poverty, while 44.2% experienced moderate food poverty. These statistics underscore the need for sustained efforts to address malnutrition and related challenges in the region.
The Erongo Directorate of Health is working to address the high malnutrition rate in Usakos and the broader region. By implementing the recommended measures and collaborating with local authorities, the directorate aims to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and improve the health and well-being of children in the region.
Key points
- Usakos district has recorded the highest child malnutrition incidence rate in the Erongo region over the past three years.
- Malnutrition in the Erongo region is linked to factors such as inadequate dietary intake, childhood illnesses, and household poverty.
- The Erongo Directorate of Health has recommended increased recruitment of community health workers and support for community gardens to address malnutrition.
