School Health & Nutrition StrategySchool Health & Nutrition Strategy

202008-1808-18

School Health & Nutrition StrategySchool Health & Nutrition Strategy

202008-1808-18Ministries of:Ministries of:

• Education, Science & Technology Education, Science & Technology (lead)(lead)

• Agriculture & Food SecurityAgriculture & Food Security

• HealthHealth

Updated 2009.01

For more information contact:MoEST School Health Nutrition and HIVDeputy Director Mr. Charles Mazinga

(0) 888-347-760

Healthy Children in Healthy Children in Healthy Environments Learn Better! Healthy Environments Learn Better! Healthy Children in Healthy Children in Healthy Environments Learn Better! Healthy Environments Learn Better!

Slide 2SHN Strategy 0verview, updated 2009.01

2.0 Overall Goal:By 2018 Malawi will have healthy, well-nourished school-aged children who can fulfil their optimum learning potential.

2.1 Vision All school-age children enjoying good health and eating balanced, nutritious diets.

2.2 Mission Providing school-based health and nutrition services and programmes as an integral, sustainable part of the education system to build a healthy foundation for learners.

3SHN Strategy 0verview, updated 2009.01

SHN Targets ALL School-Aged Children (aged 2-

18)

Learning Institution Responsible Departments

•Childcare Centres •MoWCD Early Childhood Dev.

•Government Primary Schools •MoEST Basic Education

•Complementary Basic Education

(CBE)•MoEST Basic Education

•Government Secondary Schools •MoEST Secondary Education

•Government tertiary education

centres•MoEST Higher Education

•Out-of-school Youth •MoWCD Social Welfare /

MoYSC

•Private or faith based schools, all

types•Management of institutions

Slide 4SHN Strategy Overview 2009

SHN supports the goals of many departments

National Education Sector Plan (NESP) SHN’s contribution:

1.) Quality and Relevance

Improving learners’ potential to learn through reducing malnutrition and hunger, teachers and improved teaching and learning environments

2.) Access and Equity

Improving ability of all learners to enrol in and attend school through reducing food and nutrition insecurity barriers

3) Governance and Management Through strengthening school management committees and

teaching staff to oversee SHN/HIV interventions

SHN Strategy 0verview, updated 2009.01 5

Current health & nutrition situation:

In Malawi, causes of malnutrition include:Poor dietary diversity / Food insecurity

35 % of all Malawians consume too few calories 67 % of calorific consumption is maize (too much carbohydrate!)

93 % of cereal consumption is maize (too much maize!)

Current Meal to BETTER MEALBalance of

•Carbohydrate

•Protein,

•Fat,

High in:

•Vitamins,

•Minerals &

•Water

Too much:

•Carbohydrate

Too Little:

•Protein,

•Fat,

•Vitamins,

•Minerals &

•Water

(SAME amount of food - Different balance)

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More causes of Malnutrition . . .

• Inadequate knowledge

• Harmful cultural habits and social pressure

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• Poor water and sanitation practices

• Illness and disease

Cycle of VulnerabilityAdapted from Dr. Alex Kalimbira, Bunda College 2008

Slide 8SHN Strategy 0verview, updated 2009.01

Micronutrient deficient Source

Anaemia (Iron/Folate)

22% 2001, National Micronutrient Survey

54%2006, National SHN Baseline Survey

Iodine 64% 2001, National Micronutrient Survey

50%2006, National SHN Baseline Survey

Vitamin A 38% 2001, National Micronutrient Survey

There are VERY few surveys, studies & monitoring

of School-Aged Children

2006 National School Health & Nutrition Baseline

•2,935 surveyed out of over 3 million school-age children

•Surveyed ages between 5 and 10

•Nationally representative cross-section household survey, cluster

sampling

•52% were boys, 48% were girls

Slide 9SHN Strategy 0verview, updated 2009.01

2006 National School Health & Nutrition Baseline, Cont.

SHN Strategy 0verview, updated 2009.01 10

Percent Issue

30%Stunted, i.e. had chronic

malnutrition

18% Underweight

30 % NEVER ate breakfast

34% reported illness in the past 2 weeks

20% Had malaria parasites

19% Had bilharzias

9% Had intestinal worms