The report argues that although nutrition programmes were first introduced in South Africa in the 1960s, these programmes have been largely ineffective in reducing malnutrition because of their narrow focus on food aid.
To address hunger’s underlying causes including poor access to health services, clean water and sanitation, and food ,the government introduced the Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP) in the 1990s. Despite the INP, problems such as stunting have persisted and contribute to stagnating child mortality, according to the report.
After evaluating 18 initiatives, the report highlights several key recommendations including that nutrition among children under the age of 5 years old should comprise a key health outcome and that a well-defined nutrition plan should be developed. Each province should have a nutrition cluster manager as is already being done in KwaZulu-Natal, it adds.
Finally, the report also advocates for the establishment of a National Nutrition Council as a coordinating council mirroring the South African National AIDS Council’s work in HIV.
Download the full report: Summary Evaluation of Nutritional Interventions for Children from Conception to Age 5
