The Executive Director of Bairo-Pite clinic Inacio dos Santos said in the month of October 17 children had been hospitalised for malnutrition, with a further three children transferred to National Hospital Guido Valadares to be treated for severe malnutrition.

Most of the children hospitalised are under five, Santos said. If they receive therapeutic foods for four to five days, they can usually recover.

But malnourished children should be getting help before they reach that stage, said Santos, which is increasing outreach services to educate parents how to provide adequate nutrition to their children.