South Sudan launches national nutrition policy to strengthen prevention and treatment
By Denis Ejulu
The South Sudan government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday launched the national nutrition policy together with the pre-service nutrition curriculum with the aim of preventing and ensuring early treatment of malnutrition.
Josephine Lagu, the Vice President for Service Cluster said the two key technical documents demonstrate the government’s bold declaration of commitment to ending malnutrition, strengthening human capital and building a peaceful resilient and self-reliant South Sudan.
She noted that the youngest nation continues to face persistent humanitarian challenges amid challenges conflict, displacement, food insecurity, adding that the national nutritional policy responds to these challenges by providing a coherent inclusive and multi-sectorial framework to address malnutrition in all its forms.
“It promotes prevention and early treatment, community engagement, institutional capacity building and evidence based decision- making. Crucially, it emphasizes equity, gender responsiveness and a lifespan approach ensuring that everyone regardless of age, background can access adequate nutrition,” Lagu said during the launch in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
In addition, Lagu noted that the pre-service nutrition curriculum will ensure enhance the capacity and competence of the nutrition workforce.
She disclosed that it integrates nutrition training into health and education systems.
“We are investing in the future, equipping professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver nutrition services across the country. This is essential not just for humanitarian response but for long-term development and nation building,” Lagu said.
Sarah Cleto Rial, Minister of Health noted that malnutrition remains a public health concern particularly among children under the age of five.
She noted that the levels of acute malnutrition in South Sudan currently at 16 percent, is above the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency threshold of 15 percent.
“Despite the immense challenges, South Sudan has made some progress in addressing the malnutrition situation. However, there is still a need to enhance the quality of services to effectively fight wasting and other forms of malnutrition,” Cleto said.
Cleto also emphasized the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach involving all sectors and levels of government to improve the nutrition situation in the country.
