103. According to the 2014 statistical yearbook of the MSPLS, malaria constitutes 42% of
consultations in CDS (18% of children have a fever episode in the last 2 weeks). To counter this
trend, Long-Lasting Insect Nets (LLINs) are offered to pregnant women during prenatal
consultations and a successful LLIN distribution campaign has been organised. The high prevalence
(15%) and the recurrence of episodes of diarrhoea and respiratory infections (9%) also lead to an
overload in the health centres.24 One of the key interventions to reduce attendance at health centres
by sick children is to prevent childhood illnesses (diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malaria) at
the community level. This approach was adopted by Burundi in 2014 and is being scaled up
gradually. For greater impact, these activities are associated with the promotion of birth spacing and
the management of obstetric and neonatal complications.
Nutrition of children under 5 years
104. With regard to the right of children to have access to food, article 30, paragraph 3, of the 2005
Constitution provides that "every child shall have the right, from his family, to society and to his
family, to the special protection measures required by his status as a minor ". Similarly, Article 44
of the same Constitution provides that "Every child has the right to special measures to ensure or
improve the care necessary for his/her well-being, health and physical safety and to be protected
from ill treatment, abuse or exploitation. Finally, Article 66 of the Constitution above states that
"Every Burundian has the duty to preserve the harmonious development of the family and to work
for the cohesion and respect of this family, to respect at all times his parents, to feed them and to
assist them in case of necessity.
105. Given this situation, with the support of the World Bank, Burundi will start its social
protection programme through cash transfer to the poorest families in 4 provinces and the point of
entry was precisely this problem of malnutrition.
106. Also, the following actions have been undertaken to improve food and nutritional security:
- Implementation of the National Agricultural Investment Plan (PNIA: 2012-2017), which
is composed of 4 programmes: Sustainable growth of production and food security,
Building the skills of producers and promotion of innovation, Development of sectors
and Agribusiness and Strengthening Public Institutions. This Plan is the operational tool
for the National Agricultural Strategy (SAN, 2008-2015) and the Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).
- Currently, the implementation of the NAIP is being evaluated and then reformulated and
extended until 2020. The SAN will also be reformulated over the period 2006-2020
during this second half of the year 2015 ;
- National Fertilizer Subsidy Programme (PNSEB) in force since 2012;
- Establishment of the National Integrated Food and Nutrition Programme in 2009;
- Programme of fast multiplication for healthy maize, rice, cassava, potato, banana and oil
palm equipment, implemented since 2011;
- Repopulation of the Livestock, implemented since 2008;
- Programme for Promoting Learning and Rehabilitation Centres (FARN);
24
ISTEEBU and MSPLS, PMS Survey, 2012
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