National Multi-Sector Nutrition Strategic Plan 2018–2022.

The National Multi-Sector Nutrition Strategic Plan 2018–2022 aims to reach optimal nutrition for all Malawians by 2021 with emphasis on children under the age of 5, pregnant and lactating women, and other vulnerable groups. The expected strategic outcomes are: Reduced number of children under 5 who are stunted by 20%; Reduced rate of anaemia in children, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age by 25%; Reduced rate of infants born with low birth weight by 15%; Reduced rate of overweight among children, adolescents, and adults by 5%; Increased rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months by 20%; Wasting in children is maintained at less than 5%; in adolescents and adults is reduced to less than 5%; Improved multi-sectoral programming and coordination of nutrition intervention; Increased government contribution to funding from 0.001% to 0.1%, commitment, and accountability for nutrition. In addition, Nutrition Care Support and Treatment services promote the linkage and referral of clients between the health facility and community-based health, nutrition, economic strengthening, livelihoods, and food security interventions.
The specific objectives of the strategic plan are to: Prevent undernutrition with emphasis on children under five, adolescent girls, school-going children, pregnant and lactating women, People Living with HIV (PLHIV), and other vulnerable groups; Enhance gender equality, equity, protection, participation, and empowerment of adolescent, women, and children for improved nutrition; Treat and control acute malnutrition among children under five, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, PLHIV, and other vulnerable groups; Prevent and manage overweight and nutrition related Non-Communicable Diseases; Enhance nutrition education, social mobilisation, and positive behaviour change; Improve delivery of nutrition interventions during emergencies; Create an enabling environment for effective implementation of nutrition interventions; Enhance evidence-based programming through nutrition monitoring, evaluation research, and surveillance. The underlying causes of malnutrition include poverty; food insecurity; scarcity of access to adequate care resources; and to health, water, hygiene and sanitation services.
In addition, the agriculture sector food and nutrition strategy promotes sustainable and diverse food systems and nutrition education that will contribute to a nourished nation and economic growth. Strategy 3 aims at intensifying prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies, through conducting community mobilisation on better food systems, integrated homestead farming for promotion of consumption of micronutrient rich foods.
Strategy 2 aims at promoting sustainable livelihoods interventions for improved nutrition in women and child headed households, distributing seeds to support production of drought-resistant crops and livelihood diversification to improve the resiliency of women and child headed households in disaster prone areas.