The Government of Laos today announced a new initiative to tackle malnutrition at the second Lao Human Capital Summit, recognising that proper nutrition in a child’s first 1,000 days determines their lifelong intelligence and strength.
The summit, titled “Accelerating Nutrition Improvement Activities for Capacity Building” and chaired by the Prime Minister, brought together leaders and experts to discuss strategies for improving nutrition and investing in the country’s future.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon kicked off the event by highlighting the importance of nutrition as the foundation of a strong and resilient economy, noting the government’s efforts to improve nutrition, build human capital and ensure economic growth and prosperity. “Nutrition must be at the forefront of the next National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Every child should have the opportunity to grow to their full potential, which in turn contributes to the country’s growth,” he said.
The latest data reveals that about 33% of children under the age of five in Lao PDR are stunted due to chronic malnutrition, and about 11% suffer from wasting, which means they are too thin for their height. These conditions lead to chronic diseases, lower educational achievement, and reduced lifetime earnings. A child born in Lao PDR today is only 46% as productive as he or she would be if he or she had a good education and good health. Good nutrition, especially during early childhood, ensures proper brain development.
UNICEF Representative in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Pia Rebelo Brit, told participants that investing in nutrition is essential for the nation’s growth. “The economic stability and future growth of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic depends on the actions we take today,” said Brit. “In these challenging times, it is more important than ever that every dollar and every kip is spent wisely. Investing in child nutrition is an investment in the country’s future. We need to reach every child, everywhere, across the country today and focus on interventions that will have the greatest impact for a better tomorrow.”
“Improving nutrition for women and young children requires investments in multiple sectors to ensure that mothers and infants have access to essential nutrition services, along with strong surveillance systems,” said Alberto Rodrigues, World Bank Human Development Director for East Asia and the Pacific.
The summit ended with the government committing to prioritise nutrition in the upcoming 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. The government committed to developing an Accelerated Action Plan led by the Deputy Prime Minister for Cultural and Social Affairs, establishing a Coordination Unit to oversee implementation, and implementing a nutrition budget tagging system to ensure effective investment and resource utilisation.
Supported by the World Bank and UNICEF, the summit series focuses on investing in people’s knowledge, skills and health. The first summit, to be held in May 2023, will focus on education.
