The MCHN programme is designed to contribute to the strategic goals of Nepal’s national nutrition policies and frameworks, including the National Nutrition Policy and Strategy (2008), the Nepal Health Sector Plan II (2010–2015), the Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Strategy (2013), and the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP III) for 2023–2030. The programme’s overarching objective is to enhance the nutritional well-being of pregnant and breastfeeding women and children aged 6 to 23 months by strengthening their access to government health services and addressing malnutrition in the long term by reducing stunting, wasting, and underweight rates. The programme also supports improving the capacity of government officials to plan, implement, and deliver an integrated health and nutrition programme. Furthermore, the MCHN programme is firmly integrated into MSNP III (2023–2030) as a critical intervention in preventing chronic malnutrition challenges (NDHS 2022). MCHN works to prevent stunting, wasting, and anemia by promoting better diets, local nutritious food utilization, and access to healthcare.
Since 2014, SAPPROS-NEPAL, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP Nepal), has implemented various Country Programmes to actively assist the Government of Nepal in addressing hunger, with an emphasis on social safety nets in maternal and child health, nutrition, education, and rural livelihoods. The Mother and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) initiative has since evolved into a crucial national programme, providing essential support to women and children in the remote and food-insecure districts of Kalikot, Mugu, Humla, and Dolpa in Karnali Province. This initiative highlights a significant strategic collaboration between the Government of Nepal and the WFP. Between 2014 and 2024, as part of this partnership, the Government procured specialized nutritious foods for mothers and children. WFP facilitated implementation by providing logistical support, technical expertise, and field-level coordination in the challenging, often inaccessible terrain of Karnali.
Through outreach, awareness, and nutrition education, the programme empowers women to seek healthcare during pregnancy and after childbirth while engaging families to support improved nutrition. Additionally, MCHN plays a crucial role in emergency nutrition responses by ensuring access to readily available, nutritious foods.
Major Achievements
1. The MCHN programme improved nutritional behaviors, benefiting an average of 35,431 individuals (13,044 children and 22,387 PBW/G and caretakers) across 135 health facilities in 36 Palikas of Karnali Province (2014-2024)
2. Healthcare and nutrition clinic attendance reached 95% in MCHN districts compared to 65% in non-MCHN areas. (Annual Health Report – Karnali 2079-80 FY).
3. The Government procured and distributed 5,311.7 metric tons of Wheat Soya Blend (WSB+) to PBWGs and 6-23 months old children. The distribution was aligned with the provision of enhancing Ante-Natal Care (ANC), Post-Natal Care (PNC), growth monitoring, and nutrition counseling on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
4. Strengthened community engagement through Health Mother Groups (HMGs), Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), and Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committees (NFSSC), enhancing service access and utilization.
5. 1191 Female Community Health Volunteers were reached through training and sensitization sessions to support the community level interventions like cooking demonstrations, health mothers group meetings and interpersonal counseling to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, caretakers of 6-23 months children.
6. 1331 health workers were trained in different nutrition interventions and supported the implementation of the MCHN programme.
7. Technical assistance and training on HMIS/DHIS-2 to health workers in all 135 health facilities enhanced the reporting and recording mechanisms.
8. The programme contributed to increased adherence to minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet standards among women and young children over 10 years period (2014-2024).
9. In the process of enhancing the skills, knowledge and capabilities of the Government health workers, the MCHN programme involved the capacity building measures of training, upskilling and onsite coaching on overall technical aspects of the reporting and monitoring of the ongoing nutrition interventions at the local level.