Nutrition Promotion Month in full swing in Myanmar

YANGON 11 AUGUST 2018 - The 2018 Nutrition Promotion Month with the theme of ‘The first 1,000 days for a brighter future’ starts with the aim to draw attention to the importance of good nutrition for a happy and healthy life. Organized into four categories: eat well; shop well; cook well and live well, more than 30 partners will hold activities across the country with the leadership of Ministry of Health and Sports in collaboration with UNICEF Myanmar and 3MDG Fund. The Nutrition Promotion Month is composed of a specific theme each week: World Breastfeeding Week; under five children and school children nutrition promotion week; pregnant mother and lactating mother nutrition promotion week and Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Elimination week. 

The first 1,000 days, which start at conception and end around two years of age, are a critical window of opportunity to give children the best start in life. Consequences of malnutrition during this time can be largely irreversible, including stunting – a condition which can impair growth and mental and physical development. Making good nutrition choices during this time can determine a child’s growth potential and future.

Malnutrition rates in Myanmar, however, are among the highest in the region.  About one third of children in Myanmar are stunted,  which can be a consequence of poverty, lack of access to health, good nutrition, inadequate hygiene and sanitation, or limited knowledge of healthy practices and behaviours.

To tackle these challenges, this year partners will be sharing the message of ‘food diversity’. Food diversity is about eating different types of food from all food groups, or ‘eating the rainbow’. It is particularly important during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. To encourage a diverse diet and share knowledge about its importance, young people on social media will participate in quizzes and competitions to share pictures of their meals with prizes for the healthiest plates.  

Public event in Hlaing Tharyar - The National Nutrition Centre, supported by 3MDG, will be holding a major public event in Hlaing Tharyar Township on the 25th of August 2018. It will be a day filled with games, prizes and activities – proving that health education does not have to be boring.

“Investment in evidence based nutrition interventions has a cost benefit ratio of 1:16 which means investing 1 USD will provide 16 USD worth of health benefits. This is why the Ministry of Health and Sports put much effort to improve nutrition status in Myanmar,” said Dr. Lwin Mar Hlaing, Deputy Director, Ministry of Health and Sports. 

Shopping competition in North Dagon - At the beginning of the month, 3MDG held a shopping competition in Ma Har Myaing market, North Dagon. Participants were given 10,000 kyat each and encouraged to shop for the healthiest and most diverse food they could find for children.

Pyae Phyo Aung, Health Team Leader from 3MDG, who attended the event in North Dagon, said: “It was great to see people learning about health in a new and different way. We know that when people have fun when they are learning, those messages are more likely to stick.”

Exclusive breastfeeding campaign - UNICEF, Save the Children and Alive and Thrive will be conducting a campaign to promote breastfeeding only for the first six months of life. It will be the largest exclusive breastfeeding campaign supported by public-private partnership of its kind. The messages in the campaign will reach more than 8,000 thousand mothers and families, and involve international health organizations, celebrities, businesses and bloggers.

Ms. June Kunugi, UNICEF Representative to Myanmar said, “Through utilizing various platforms, this campaign aims to reach mothers, families and key influencers in their lives with critical messages and tools that promote exclusive breastfeeding. UNICEF is committed to continue working with the Government of Myanmar and partners to scale up nutrition interventions through similar innovative programmes.”

Cooking demonstrations - UNICEF is supporting the National Nutrition Centre to facilitate community level cooking demonstration and competitions in 74 townships across the country. These activities will help promote knowledge and practical cooking tips for mothers about healthy and nutritious meals during pregnancy and for young children. The sessions will be co-facilitated by civil society and Non-Government Organisations such as Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Women Affairs Federation, Myanmar Nurses and Midwifery Association. 

All year round, the National Nutrition Centre supports good nutrition throughout Myanmar, with Vitamin A supplementation for babies, children and lactating mothers; deworming; iron folate and vitamin B1 supplementation for pregnant and lactating mothers, and testing of iodine in salt.

Details of daily activities will be shared on the National Nutrition Centre page every day: https://www.facebook.com/NationalNutritionCentreMM/

About the Three Millennium Development Goals Fund  

Together with the Government of Myanmar and other partners, the 3MDG Fund strengthens the national health system at all levels, extending access for poor and vulnerable populations to quality health services. The 3MDG Fund has a significant, timely and nationwide impact improving maternal, newborn and child health, combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and health system strengthening to deliver sustainable, efficient and responsive healthcare across Myanmar. Follow 3MDG on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3MDGfund/