5.6 million school-going kids in the country face double-burden malnutrition, says DPM

KUALA LUMPUR: There are at least 5.6 million school-going children in the country who have been found to face the double burden of malnutrition, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this included about 500,000 children from pre-schools, primary and secondary schools each year.

The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) at the household level has been defined as the coexistence of underweight children and overweight mothers within the same household.

"We have discussed that the allocation for food at primary and secondary schools would now involve about RM800mil.

"In this matter, we also need to consider the preparation of food as early as at the pre-school level," he told a press conference after chairing the National Social Council Meeting in Parliament on Thursday (March 16).

Dr Ahmad Zahid also revealed that the meeting discussed approaches taken to address the issue, adding that these measures will be coordinated by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

"We believe that the physical formation of children depends on the nutrition given as well as their early education.

"We have discussed in detail regarding the issue of height, but also stunting, weight, as well as obesity of the next Malaysian generation," he added.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also said that a memorandum would be submitted to the Cabinet soon to coordinate efforts to address the issue as it involves various ministries and agencies for their implementation.

On another issue, he revealed that there were some 1,081 unregistered childcare centres and 574 daycare centres as of 2022 across the country.

"We also discuss the issue of childcare and daycare centres as there are some issues with the registration, curriculum, syllabus and the premises standards," he said.

Among the proposals that had been agreed upon during the meeting include the standardisation of work processes and conditions between local authorities on curriculum, syllabus and safety standards, coordination of certificates and licenses and the creation of more one-stop centres at the district level to resolve issues related to daycare centres.

However, Dr Ahmad Zahid said that the coordination works must be done in line with the respective local authorities and state rules.

On the issue of homelessness, he said a comprehensive approach will be taken including enforcement, to allow them to have a second chance to transform their lives.

"This is to ensure that in terms of accommodation, job opportunities and also mental health faced by the homeless can be solved," he said.