Malawi National Multi-Sector Nutrition Policy 2018-2022

Nutrition is fundamental for the socio-economic growth and development of this country, thus, Government has placed nutrition high on the national development agenda. In 2007, Malawi developed the first edition of National Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan that guided the implementation of a multi-sectoral nutrition response. The goal of the Policy and Strategic Plan was to facilitate the improvement of the nutrition status of all Malawians with emphasis on children under five years, pregnant and lactating women, school-aged children, and other vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV, and people affected by emergencies. The Government of Malawi has renewed its commitment and strategic response to nutrition-related issues by reviewing the National Nutrition Policy, which is multi-sectoral and covers both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. The National Multi-Sector Nutrition Policy 2018–2022 serves to redirect the national focus on nutrition programming and to realign the national nutrition priorities with the national development agenda. The Policy is aligned with the Scaling Up Nutrition movement, global declarations, and commitments, which Malawi is signatory to, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Assembly targets. The National Multi-Sector Nutrition Policy 2018–2022 has been developed following the review of the National Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan 2007–2012. The Policy was reviewed through a consultative process that involved a range of stakeholders, including local leaders and communities, line ministries, civil society, development partners, and the private sectors. The process has taken into consideration the lessons learnt, gaps identified, and emerging issues. This new Policy aims at ensuring that evidence-based, high-impact nutrition interventions are developed and implemented at scale. The Policy will be implemented in line with the overarching National Development Strategy, which considers nutrition as one of the priority areas under the social development thematic area. The Policy is expected to be implemented by a number of sectors, each sector is expected to commit itself to fulfill its mandate. The Government is committed to continue placing nutrition high on the national development agenda and calls upon all line ministries and other stakeholders to join hands in the successful implementation of this Policy. The National Multi-Sector Nutrition Policy 2018–2022 has identified several key areas of focus, including the reduction of malnutrition among children under five years, pregnant and lactating women, and school-aged children. The Policy also aims to improve the nutrition status of people living with HIV and those affected by emergencies. To achieve these goals, the Policy recommends the implementation of a range of interventions, including the promotion of breastfeeding, the provision of micronutrient supplements, and the improvement of food security and access to nutritious food. The Policy also emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluation, and recommends the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The Policy also recommends the strengthening of the health system, including the provision of training and capacity-building for health workers, and the improvement of health infrastructure and equipment. The National Multi-Sector Nutrition Policy 2018–2022 has been developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including the World Bank, the Canadian International Development Agency, the United States Agency for International Development, and the United Nations organisations. The Policy is expected to be implemented over a period of five years, from 2018 to 2022, and will be reviewed and updated as necessary to ensure that it remains relevant and effective in addressing the nutrition needs of the Malawian population.