by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Following its first consultation workshop in April this year, the second National Nutrition Action Plan workshop commenced today in Port Moresby.
The two day workshop gathered technical experts, officials from various Government departments and provincial divisions, representatives from the UN agencies, Donor, NGOs, private sector and civil society organisations to complete the costing of the Nutrition Policy plan.
The plan which was established for a ten-year long run, is still under discussion,s and is yet to be implemented in the country.
Today’s workshop highlighted presentations focused on areas including;
• PNG’s National Nutrition Policy 2016-2026,
• Malnutrition in Papua New Guinea, causes and impacts
• Economic cost of malnutrition in PNG
• And proposed plans on how PNG should reverse the plight of malnutrition affecting children under 5 years of age in the country.
It also allows the stakeholders to discuss the necessary requirements needed to reverse the micro-nutrient deficiencies by all community sectors and the food industries in the country.
Olushola Ismail, Country Representative, UNICEF Papua New Guinea, in his opening remarks highlighted that “malnutrition is a significant threat to PNG’s economy and accounts for a significant proportion of child deaths in the country.
This, he said, should be addressed seriously at all levels.
The Nutrition Plan is ready and waits to be endorsed by the National Executive Council and the Prime Minister in preparation for its implementation.
The workshop continues and will end tomorrow.
