Qacha’s Nek, Aug. 21 — The 2023/24 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (2023-24 LDHS) has unveiled a troubling statistic: Qacha’s Nek leads all districts with a stunting rate of 47.9 percent.
The survey, revealed during an agricultural dialogue hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN), shows Thaba-Tseka following with 46.3 percent, Mohale’s Hoek at 44.7 percent, and Quthing at 38.8 percent.
The dialogue, themed “Participate in Food Production to Accelerate Proper Nutrition,” aimed to address malnutrition and enhance food production following escalating cases of malnutrition in the district that are making stunting the dominant symptom.
Despite some progress, with national stunting rates dropping from 39 percent in 2009 to 33 percent in 2014 before rising slightly to 36 percent in 2023-24, the situation remains critical.
