Multisectoral Support to Nutrition Activities and Policies in Malawi

Results achieved as of February 2017 include: (1) approved National nutrition policy 2017 to 2021); (2) drafted new national nutrition strategic plan 2013 to 2018; (3) developed and approved Malawi's first food and nutrition act; (4) designed and being rolled out a national nutrition monitoring and evaluation system; (5) conducted a comprehensive baseline survey of community-based nutrition indicators; (6) conducted Malawi demographic and health survey in 2016 and report released; (7) reduced stunting from 47% in 2010 to 37% in 2016 (Malawi DHS Report 2016); (8) anemia reduced from 55% in 2009 to 28% in 2016 among preschool children in intervention districts and in women of reproductive age group has reduced from 32% in 2009 to 28% in 2016; (9) vitamin A deficiency which contributes to poor iron status reduced from 22% in 2009 to 4% in 2016 – which mean only 4% of children are affected; (10) district councils through the district nutrition coordinating Committee are collaborating on joint planning monitoring and coordination of nutrition policy; (11) district councils owned and roll out web-based M&E system and are reporting on key nutrition indicators to DNHA on a quarterly basis; (12) Over 301 111 (representing 75%) of under 2 children reached with monthly minimum package of nutrition services in the intervention districts – this increased from 27.6% at end March 2015; (13) increased the percentage of children 6 to 23 month who receive minimum diet diversity in intervention districts from 29% in 2010 to 35.4% by October 2016. These results contributed to the progressive implementation of the strengthening nutrition (SUN) initiative in Malawi. This initiative provided scientific guidance on proven high-impact interventions to reduce undernutrition and the number of cases of acute malnutrition stunting and anemia in children under 5 and young women.