HEALTH SECTOR COMPONENT OF NATIONAL FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY

Abstract

As part of efforts to address the dire nutrition situation of Nigeria, a National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition has been devised that builds off other strategic documents such as Vision 20:2020 and the National Strategic Health Development Plan for 2009 to 2015. It is in view of comprehensively addressing these problems that this plan has been formulated as a guide for action for the Health Sector component of the National Food and Nutrition Policy. This Strategic Plan of Action has been organised into sections as follows: Section 1 provides an introduction and rationale for why it is critical for Nigeria to tackle its malnutrition problem. Section 2 presents the nutrition situation both globally and in Nigeria, and looks at past and recent responses by the Government, the causes of malnutrition in the country, and the burden of malnutrition on the health and economic potential of the population. Section 3 presents the Strategic Plan of Action going into detail on the key priority areas and strategic directions envisaged to accomplish the plan and the monitoring and evaluation framework for tracking its progress. Additionally, the Strategic Plan of Action is costed and roles and responsibilities are delineated in this section. In Appendix 1 and 2, two frameworks are included that were used to guide the development of this plan. Appendices 3-8 provide logframes that outline the activities and delivery method by strategic direction. Appendix 9 explains the costs and assumptions used in the plan, while appendix 10 describes the framework for the nutrition commodities logistics management system.