Reducing the prevalence of acute malnutrition in children under 5 years of age

The Burkina Faso government, through the Ministry of Health, with the support of its partners (local authorities, key sectors and technical and financial partners), is committed to reducing the prevalence of acute malnutrition in children under 5 years of age from 9.9% in 2024 to 8.5% in 2028. To achieve this, actions aimed at the prevention and management of moderate and severe acute malnutrition must be taken. More specifically, the following actions will be taken:

• Disseminate the support reference documents (new protocol).

• Strengthen the capacities of stakeholders on the revised PCIMA (Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition) protocol (Prevention and Management Action).

• Ensure the supply of acute malnutrition inputs to health facilities.

• Extend the coverage of the malnutrition programme to the whole country.

• Supervise those involved in the implementation of antenatal care.

• Ensure the regular follow-up of data relating to these actions.

• Strengthen actions for simplified approaches in areas with high security challenges.

• Strengthen the availability of food products through the agro-pastoral and fisheries offensive.

• Ensure the fortification of foods of mass consumption.

• Promote the consumption of fortified foods.

• Promote food safety.

• Raise awareness of the consumption of fortified porridge for children aged 6–23 months.

• Promote the use of lipid-based nutrient supplementation and multiple micronutrient supplementation.

Monitoring will be done through the national nutrition survey carried out annually by the Directorate of Nutrition.