National Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy and Strategy 2009-2013.
Country
Type of law
Policy
Abstract
The present Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy and Strategy (IYCF) 2009-2013 is designed to contribute to the objectives of the Afghanistan National Health and Nutrition Sector Strategy 2008-2013 to reduce child and maternal mortality and malnutrition. Its overall goal is the same as the overall goal of the Public Nutrition Policy and Strategy, namely: To reduce all forms of undernutrition, thereby improving the growth, development and health of Afghan infants and young children, through improved infant and young child feeding practices. The objective of the afore-mentioned Policy and its associated Strategy is: To increase the percentage of child caregivers adopting appropriate infant and young child feeding and caring practices (by 20%, by 2013).
The purpose of the present Policy and Strategy is to describe the Government of Afghanistan’s position on IYCF, in accordance with the Global Strategy on IYCF. All key stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in IYCF, notably health sector professionals, NGOs, UN agencies, military, and private sector, are responsible, and will be held accountable, for respecting the present Policy. This document also clarifies the strategies that need to be adopted and interventions to be implemented to achieve the policy objectives. It will serve to support advocacy and resource mobilization, as well as coordination between the main implementing partners (MoPH Departments, BPHS partners, NGOs, UN, private sector, communities). Finally, it provides guidance on how to monitor the protection and promotion of optimal IYCF in Afghanistan.
Section 3 deals with Strategy for Promoting Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding addressing the following aspects: 1) Advocacy, regulations and guidelines; 2) Behaviour change through awareness raising, counselling and community support; 3) Integration of Infant and Young Child Feeding promotion and counselling in the Basic Package of Health Services and Essential Package of Hospital Services. Section 4 lays down provisions relating to institutional approach and deals with the following aspects: 1) Institutional framework and main partners; 2) Coordination mechanisms; 3) Estimated budget. Section 5 concerns Monitoring and Evaluation and provides for 1) Regular monitoring and evaluation.; 2) Operational research; 3) Progress Reviews.
The text consists of 5 Parts as follows: Background (1); Infants and Young Child Feeding Policy (2); Strategy for Promoting Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (3); Institutional Approach (4); Monitoring and Evaluation (5). Six Annexes are enclosed.
The purpose of the present Policy and Strategy is to describe the Government of Afghanistan’s position on IYCF, in accordance with the Global Strategy on IYCF. All key stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in IYCF, notably health sector professionals, NGOs, UN agencies, military, and private sector, are responsible, and will be held accountable, for respecting the present Policy. This document also clarifies the strategies that need to be adopted and interventions to be implemented to achieve the policy objectives. It will serve to support advocacy and resource mobilization, as well as coordination between the main implementing partners (MoPH Departments, BPHS partners, NGOs, UN, private sector, communities). Finally, it provides guidance on how to monitor the protection and promotion of optimal IYCF in Afghanistan.
Section 3 deals with Strategy for Promoting Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding addressing the following aspects: 1) Advocacy, regulations and guidelines; 2) Behaviour change through awareness raising, counselling and community support; 3) Integration of Infant and Young Child Feeding promotion and counselling in the Basic Package of Health Services and Essential Package of Hospital Services. Section 4 lays down provisions relating to institutional approach and deals with the following aspects: 1) Institutional framework and main partners; 2) Coordination mechanisms; 3) Estimated budget. Section 5 concerns Monitoring and Evaluation and provides for 1) Regular monitoring and evaluation.; 2) Operational research; 3) Progress Reviews.
The text consists of 5 Parts as follows: Background (1); Infants and Young Child Feeding Policy (2); Strategy for Promoting Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (3); Institutional Approach (4); Monitoring and Evaluation (5). Six Annexes are enclosed.
Attached files
Date of text
Repealed
No
Publication reference
Ministry of Public Health.
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No