MoU on Integration of Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition in Ethiopian health system signed

Addis Ababa, August 12, 2023 (FBC) – MoU on Integration of Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition in Ethiopian Health System was signed between the Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), UNICEF, and WFP on Friday.

The signatories reaffirmed their commitment that no child in Ethiopia suffers from severe acute malnutrition.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse stressed the need to invest in prevention and building resilience in nutrition responses.

According to her, the ministry has been making indispensable effort in realizing the vision of the Government of Ethiopia for healthy and productive society, in collaboration with partners.

She pointed out that Ethiopia has made significant improvement in reducing undernutrition by creating enabling environment, including the Sequota Declaration, establishing coordination office, among others, in mobilizing resources and establishing accountability of implementing sectors.

She further elaborated that Integrated Management of Acute malnutrition (IMAM) is the main program response to treat and manage both severe and moderate acute malnutrition in children, pregnant and lactating women.

UNCEF Deputy Representative in Ethiopia, Mariko Kagoshima said on her that by signing the MoU her organization has first and foremost reaffirmed the commitment that no child who suffers from severe acute malnutrition in Ethiopia will be left untreated.

In this regard, 1.2 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) have been planned to receive lifesaving treatment in more than 1,000 woredas nationwide in 2023, according to ENA.

WFP Country Deputy Director, Jennifer Bitonde said “we are here to renew our commitment to continue working together on integrating the management of acute malnutrition into the Ethiopian health system.”

She added that since the integration of the Management of Acute Malnutrition (MAM) into the national health system in 2018, a continuum of care has been provided to malnourished mothers and children in 55 woredas across the country.