By Santos Zefania

Lilongwe, June 25, MANA: Minister of Health, Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP, is expected to preside over the official launch of the National Multisectoral Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

The launch follows a media orientation held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Community Health Services Unit (CHSU), where key stakeholders briefed journalists on the policy’s objectives and strategic direction.

The policy aims to address malnutrition and nutrition related health challenges in line with the country’s development vision under Malawi 2063.

Chief Nutritionist and Programmes Officer at the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS Sylvester Kathumba said, “Through this new policy and strategic plan we seek to prevent, treat, and manage nutrition related disorders, reducing illnesses and deaths across all demographic groups.”

The strategic plan according to Kathumba will promote the creation of a well-nourished and productive population through a multisectoral approach involving health, education, agriculture, and social welfare sectors.

The plan prioritizes early childhood nutrition, maternal health, and school feeding programmes, among other interventions.

Lizzie Lombe, Advocacy, Campaigns, and Safeguarding Manager at World Vision Malawi, emphasised the need for targeted action and resource mobilization during the implementation phase.

Lombe said, “Now that we have the nutrition policy and strategic plan, we must deliberately target under-five children and mobilize more funding for school feeding programmes to effectively address malnutrition.”

According to the 2022 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS), about 33 percent of children under five are stunted, while 12 percent are underweight these are figures that underscore the urgency of effective nutritional interventions.

Experts say poor nutrition continues to be a significant barrier to Malawi’s human capital development.

The economic cost of undernutrition is also substantial, with estimates from the Cost of Hunger in Africa (COHA) study showing that Malawi loses over 10 percent of its GDP annually due to the long-term impacts of child undernutrition.

The launch, taking place under the theme “Nourishing Malawi: Building a Healthy and Resilient Future Together,” will bring together high-level government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the media.