From January 1 to March 18, thirty-nine weeks into the year, at least 59 children under five died due to malnutrition and related conditions. The most alarming case centers on Colombia, where the La Guajira department in the Caribbean region reported 18 fatalities, according to the Ombudsman’s Office on Friday.
“The nutritional status of early childhood in the country remains a grave, persistent violation of human rights in 2023, with La Guajira bearing a particularly heavy burden,” said Ombudsman Carlos Camargo. He stressed that the situation requires more than statements, noting that preventable diseases and malnutrition continue to claim young lives. He urged the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), which oversees child and adolescent welfare in La Guajira, and the National Health Inspectorate to take prompt steps to protect children.
a serious problem
To date this year, based on data from the National Institute of Health (INS) and compiled by the Ombudsman’s Office, there have been 4,474 cases of acute malnutrition, with 376 occurring in La Guajira. Camargo called on the ICBF to disclose what emergency or contingency measures have been implemented in La Guajira to halt this rise and how many beneficiaries have been reached through child malnutrition prevention and care programs.
Last year, there were 1,814 reported cases of moderate to severe acute malnutrition in children under five, with indigenous populations accounting for about 75.7 percent of cases. The Ombudsman also urged SuperSalud, the health system’s watchdog, to ensure that comprehensive care management is provided to children affected by acute, moderate, or severe malnutrition, within the framework of the General System of Social Security in Health.
The Ombudsman’s office has previously warned about the need for intensified inter-agency collaboration to prevent malnutrition-related illnesses and deaths in young children nationwide. The goal is to coordinate health, social protection, and community services to safeguard vulnerable families across Colombia.
According to INS, Colombia recorded 21,337 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five last year and noted that 308 children in this age group died due to malnutrition in La Guajira and Chocó. These figures underscore the ongoing challenge and the urgency for sustained, multisectoral action to support affected communities.
Notes: The information above reflects official reports and statements from public health authorities and the Ombudsman’s Office. The data highlight a need for targeted interventions, timely reporting, and transparent accountability to prevent future tragedies.