Kyrgyzstan accelerates inter-sectoral coordination in the area of nutrition
BISHKEK, 14 December 2012 – With UNICEF support, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic today holds a National
Round Table on the state of nutrition in the Central Asian country.
For the first time nutritional
issues will be discussed by a wide range of representatives of state structures
and organisations chaired by the Parliament members and representatives of the Prime
Minister’s Office. Among invitees are politicians and specialists in the area
of healthcare, agriculture, finance, economic development, customs and
taxation, business, civil society and Media. The main objective is to improve
coordination in the area of nutrition at the national level and to discuss the
draft of the National Strategy on Nutrition for 2013-2017. The participants
will also talk about causes of child and infant mortality, possible
interventions as well as on-going programmes on nutrition such as flour
fortification and micronutrient sprinkles. UNICEF Representative
Jonathan Veitch acknowledges the achievements of Kyrgyzstan within several
sectors and draws attention to low intersectoral coordination: “It seems like
Kyrgyzstan has a solid platform and a vast range of experiences to improve the
nutritional status of children. However, we are still among the countries with
high level of malnutrition. The stunting rate among children under 5 is 22 per
cent. What is missing is a strong understanding of how we should interact among
us. No matter how successful we are within our own sectors, we will only
succeed through joint efforts”. At the end of the Round
Table, it is expected that the participants will elaborate a Resolution with
commitments of various sectors.
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