President Lazarus Chakwera says Malawi is committed to ending lead poisoning in children by developing a national roadmap to tackle the vice.
Speaking during the launch of USAID’s Partnership for a Lead-Free Future in New York, Chakwera said over 3 million Malawian children were exposed to lead due to high levels found in local paint.
“My administration has been pouring millions of Dollars in education, the outcomes of that education are constantly being compromised by the impairment of children’s cognitive development caused by lead poisoning,” he said.
American First Lady Jill Biden, also present at the event said there is need for global concerted effort, announcing $150 million to kickstart the partnership’s efforts in creating a lead-free future.
Lead is a toxic substance, whose poisoning is known to hinder children’s growth, behavior, and learning capabilities.
Later in the day Dr Chakwera held bilateral talks with President Edgars Rinkevics of Lativia at the UN Headquarters.
