ACCELERATED ACTION PLAN FOR THE REDUCTION OF STUNTING AND MALNUTRITION

Background: According to the Global scenario, Pakistan ranks 14th out of 128 nations, with a countrywide incidence of stunting of 44%. “Accelerated Action Plan for the reduction of stunting and malnutrition” is an initiative of Health Department, Government of Sindh. It’s a multi sectoral approach working with other sectors like Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, WASH Local Govt, Education, Population Welfare and Social Welfare. The project goal is to improve maternal, newborn and child health through accessibility to and availability of quality MNCH services, particularly among its poor, marginalized and disadvantaged segments. The project is focused to reduce the rate of chronic malnutrition and therefore Infant Young Child Feeding (IYPC) is included to achieve the 1000 days approach and have improved IYCF practices throughout the 1000 days from pregnancy till second birthday of new born.
Shifa Foundation, in collaboration with AAP, is conducting this five-year project in three Sindh districts, Umerkot, Tharparkar, and Khairpur.
The program is implemented through a number of interventions, including community mobilization and engagement, nutrition education and counseling, micronutrient supplementation, and provision of therapeutic and supplementary food to children who are malnourished. The Accelerated Action Plan program has set ambitious targets to reduce stunting rates in children under five years of age from 45% to 35% by 2023.

Key activities to be performed:
• Screening of PLW (Pregnant and Lactating Women)
• Provision of IFA (Iron Folic Acid) to PLW (Pregnant and Lactating Women)
• Screening of Children (6-59 months)
• SAM Children refer to health facilities
• Mother Support Group Meetings
• Father Support Group Meetings
• Awareness Sessions on IYCF (Infant and young child feeding)
• Awareness Sessions on health & hygiene

Deliverables:
• To improve health and nutrition status of children and mothers by rapidly expanding and enhancing coverage of intervention in all districts of Sindh, both through facility and community action plan.
• To reduce stunting rate from 48% to 43% in first five years in Sindh by increasing ‘and expanding coverage of health interventions, that are known to reduce stunting in first five years of children’s lives. Linkages between community and health system.