Sub-national orientation and campaigns are helping to scale up nutrition in Nepal

Pradiumna Dahal, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF facilitates an interactive session on current situation, gaps on nutrition in Nepal. Photo: Twitter / HERD Nepal

From 14 – 18 November 2016, a two-day orientation was held in Kathmandu with Central and District teams working on Nepal’s Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP) to better collaborate with them on its implementation. The orientation was conducted by the Health, Research and Social Development Forum (HERD), an NGO in Nepal that promotes evidence informed policies and practices for sustainable development in health, environment and social sectors.

The orientation was conducted as part of the Poshanka Lagi Hatemalo (Partnership for Nutrition) project. The European Union funds over 80% of the project and awarded it to UNICEF. In partnership with HERD, UNICEF is working directly with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development in Nepal to lead the project and support effective implementation of the MSNP.

On 29 November 2016, just weeks after the orientation, the ‘Golden Thousand Days’ campaign was launched in ten Village Development Committees (VDC’s) of Panchthar District to battle malnutrition. The Panchtar District Health Office had identified Memeng, Prangbung, Lumphabung, Lungrupa, Yasok, Sarangdada, Angna, Amarpur, Imbung and Hangum as VDC’s at high risk of malnutrition.

The District Health Office is conducting the campaign to change the nutrition status of women and children with the Ministry of Health and National Health Education, Information, and Communication Centre. Chief of the District Health Office, Dr Pawan Sah, said the campaign will first be a count of pregnant women in the concerned villages followed by regular health check-ups, nutritious food distribution and timely vaccination of mothers and their infants.

Read more at The Himalayan Times