The MoHP´s nutrition programs have focused on protecting children from malnourishment after birth so far.[break] However, the program will be aimed at protecting pregnant women as well as their fetuses from malnourishment. Similarly, the MoHP will discontinue its nutrition programs that targeted up to five year old children. [break]
Prime Minister Madhav Nepal addressing a function on Thursday to cheer Nepal´s success in achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and in reducing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) stated that the government would emphasize the “1,000 days for nutrition” concept while introducing programs to fight malnourishment in future.
Despite bagging the MDG prize for reducing MMR to 229 deaths per 100,000 live births, Nepal still faces a host of challenges. Among them is a high rate of malnourishment.
According to National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS)-2006, the number of stunted children below five years of age is 49 percent. This means that every other child suffers from lack of growth due to malnourishment. The numbers of wasted and under-weight children are also worrisome.
“We should effectively tackle the problem of malnourishment in the days to come if we want to retain the progress rate in achieving MDG for reducing MMR,” said Dr Sudha Sharma, secretary at the MoHP. “Therefore, the 1,000 days for nutrition is an important step.”
“Many researches, including that of World Bank (WB), conducted in the recent past, have scientifically proved that the first 1,000 days -- 270 days in mother´s womb and subsequent 730 days after birth -- is a crucial period,” a nutrition expert told Republica. “In this very period, children develop or lose their intelligent quotient. The period when children reach third, fourth and fifth years are not so important. The shift in the government´s focus, therefore, is a historic step.”
In its new three-year interim plan, National Planning Commission (NPC), too, has focused on the 1,000 days for nutrition concept. Although the government has not introduced any programs in line with new concept, other non-government-organizations have chalked out their programs by applying this idea.
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