Laos doubles efforts to stamp out malnutrition

Prof Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune addresses the nutrition meeting. - VT

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Nutrition remains a top priority for Laos because of its wide-reaching influence on the well-being, growth and development of children and the nation through the consumption of nutritious food.

This was the message from the Eighth National Nutrition Forum, a flagship annual event in support of nutrition in Laos led by Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the National Nutrition Committee, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, and Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.

The forum on Tuesday (Feb 21) was co-chaired by the Charge d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Laos, Mr Niall Leonard, and Unicef representative to Laos, Dr Pia Rebello Britto.

The forum was combined with the Annual National Nutrition Committee Meeting for 2022 to bring together government and development partners to assess the progress made in tackling malnutrition in Laos and nutrition priorities for 2023.

Following on from last year’s forum, which highlighted the close link between investments in nutrition and the growth of children, communities and the economy, the theme of this year’s forum was “Nutrition for Sustainable Development”.

This highlights the importance of nutrition in achieving both the government’s targets for socio-economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Kikeo said.

Also speaking at the forum, Leonard said “We applaud the government for the excellent work undertaken in 2022, and would like to reconfirm our commitment to support the implementation of the 2021-2025 National Plan of Action on Nutrition.”

“However, to successfully reach national targets including those in the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the SDGs, greater collective action on nutrition is needed. A budget analysis supported by the EU and Unicef found that in 2020-22 nutrition expenditures accounted for less than 0.5 per cent of GDP, around two per cent of the national budget, and came primarily from Overseas Development Assistance.

Speaking on behalf of the Food Security and Nutrition Development Partners Group, Dr Britto said “A nutritious diet is key, while it is equally important that people also receive quality nutrition services and are enabled to practise good nutrition-related behaviours.”

“Only when these key components of good nutrition are realised will we be able to make the required progress needed.”

“The leadership of deputy governors will be central to translating the displayed here today into the provision of quality services across sectors and support for good behaviours and diets, so that children in Laos can achieve their right to good nutrition,” she added.