Kathmandu, Sept. 18
The National Planning Commission (NPC) launched the third
Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP) for eight years period from the 2023 to 2030.
The Rs. 189.45 billion project aims at ensuring availability
of and people's access to qualitative nutrition service to improve the status
of nutrition in human life-cycle. The MSNP-III plans to mobilise estimated Rs.
172.86 billon for the regular nutrition-related programmes implemented by the
line-ministries and Rs. 16.58 billion would be spent on additional programmes.
Speaking at a programme organised to announce the new plan, Vice-Chairman
of the NPC, Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, said that that MSNP-III focused on
improving the availability, quality and accessibility of nutrition-specific and
nutrition-sensitive services, while promoting positive social behaviour change.
"It also aims to institutionalise a nutrition-friendly governance system
across all three tiers of the government," he said.
According to Prof. Adhikari, then new plan serves as a
central policy document and collaborative framework for advancing nutrition.
"It offers wide opportunities for development partners, private sector,
civil society, and stakeholders to work together and enhance nutrition outcomes
for women, children and adolescents," he said.
The new MSNP-III is also expected to provide a clear roadmap
for integrating nutrition projects and programmes by the government and
development partners, minimising duplication, optimizing resources, and
ensuring more effective implementation.
Prof. Adhikari also urged the development partners to
increase their investment innutrition.
The immediate causes of chronic malnutrition in Nepal
include poor feeding and care practices, insufficient nutrient intake, high
rate of infection and teenage pregnancy.
Secretary of the NPC, Madhu Kumar Marasini, stated that an
investment of Rs. 1 in the nutrition sector is expected to provide Rs. 18 in
return which makes this area a priority sector of development.
Deputy Country Representative of the UNICEF to Nepal, Jee
Hyun Rah, said that the UNICEF is keen to continue extending its support to
realise the goals of the MSNP-III. "As we embark on the new journey for
new MSNP, I would like to urge all stakeholders to put their efforts to make it
a success," she said.
Bharat Kumar Bhattarai, Director of Association of District
Coordination Committees of Nepal, said that the MSNP is about meeting Nepal's
international commitment and national obligation to ensure health and wellbeing
of citizens.
Similarly, Rajendra Pyakurel, ED of National Association of
Rural Municipalities in Nepal, pledged the active participation of the local
bodies in the plan and said, "The local governments are ready to implement
result-oriented campaigns for physical and social development."
The first MSNP was announced in 2012/13 in collaboration
with the European Union, UNICEF and other stakeholders including the civil
society. It was implemented in 30 districts till 2016/17. Likewise, the second
MSNP was implemented in all 753 local bodies of 77 districts from 2018/19 to
2022/23.
According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022,
nutrition situation in the country has been improved significantly in one
decade. For example, anemia in girl child and women of reproductive age (6-59
years) has gone down to 34 per cent in 2022 from 43 per cent in 2011 while
stunting in children below five years of age has decreased to 25 per cent from
41 per cent.
According to a report of the NPC, significant achievements
were made in the use of maternal and child health care, basic water supply and
sanitation facility, school enrolment and school completion rate.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 September 2024.
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