'Newborns were fed fish soup': Papua New Guinea's malnutrition crisis | Jo Chandler

Undernutrition in under fives causes damage that has an impact throughout their lives – a legacy that is borne by nearly 50% of the nation’s children

Spiderman is coiled for action across three-year-old Samuel’s bloated tummy. But the boy under the superhero T-shirt is floppy with lethargy. He mutely eyes the doctor from his aunt Margaret’s lap and clutches a half-eaten frankfurter in one grubby hand.

It’s not exactly health food, but paediatrician Dr Henry Welch is nonetheless pleased.

Malnutrition has always been here, but it’s growing in proportion with the population, unemployment, the cost of living

Related: 'Desperate' solution: Papua New Guinea prisoners freed to find food as budget cuts bite

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