Rise in childhood malnutrition deaths

FOUR months into the year and 155 children under the age of five have already died from moderate or severe acute malnutrition as an underlying condition in South Africa.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

This was revealed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi when responding to a written parliamentary question from the DA.

In a statement, DA spokesperson on health, Michele Clarke and DA spokesperson on social development, Bridget Masango, demanded action.

"The DA is devastated to learn that 155 children across our country under age five have died in public health facilities with moderate or severe acute malnutrition as an underlying condition since January 2025. The majority of children affected were in Limpopo (32), Gauteng (30), and KwaZulu-Natal (29)," the statement read.

It said last year, a staggering rise in malnutrition cases was revealed: severe acute malnutrition in children younger than five has risen by 26% over the past five years.

"This is a serious and growing tragedy across South Africa, correlating with a legacy of increasing unemployment and increasing cost of living," the statement read.

The party believes that a cross-cutting intervention is necessary.