Laos reaffirms commitment to eliminate malnutrition

Lao government has reaffirmed its commitment to immediately and urgently scale up priority on nutrition interventions to eliminate malnutrition in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Somdy Douangdy on Thursday.

The remarks were made at the second National Nutrition Forum held in Lao capital Vientiane which is aimed to take stock of progress in implementing the National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action, as well as highlight key priorities for 2017 and beyond.

Multi-sectoral coordination and the government's convergent approach is not only essential for the successful implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action, but also essential to achieve national and international targets for nutrition," Somdy was quoted by Lao state-run news agency KPL as saying at the forum.

According to the most recent survey data on the levels of malnutrition in Laos, there was a reduction in stunting among children under the age of five from 44 percent in 2011 to 36 percent in 2015.

Representatives from development partners and civil society organizations also provided statements reaffirming their support to filling identified gaps in resources and capacities.

The participants reiterated that a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach is needed at the provincial level to support district and community level implementation. Taking action to the ground' is essential to successfully scale up nutrition actions and eliminate malnutrition among children and women in the Laos. Endit