SUN people’s forum launches the Global Nutrition Report

SUN people’s forum Council Chairperson Ms. Dilka Peiris presented the Global Nutrition Report to the Minister of health and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and the State Minister of Children’s Affairs Ms. Rosy Senanayake.

The first comprehensive look at nutrition data and indicators from the 193 United Nation Members launched the global Nutrition Report in 2014. The launch for Sri Lanka was organized by Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) people’s forum Sri Lanka on Monday 16 march 2015 at BMICH.

UNICEF Sri Lanka Nutrition specialist Dr. Renuka Jayatissa presented the country profile for Sri Lanka while University of Kelaniya Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Professor Harendra De Silva spoke about the challenges and the way forward based on the finding of the report.

According to the country profile of Sri Lanka, only Nuwara Eliya district is on course while the rest of the districts are off course at some of the World Health Assembly Nutrition Targets for 2025.

It was highlighted that the stunting in Nuwara Eliya was reduced from 40.8% to 23.8% in 6 years as a result of the multi-sectoral nutrition programmes, Economic growth and poverty reduction.

Minister of health and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne was the Chief Guest while the State Minister of Children’s Affairs Ms. Rosy Senanayake was the Guest of Honor.

“This kind of report is very important to guide us to improve the nutrition level in the country. It is very sad to have children without necessary food and I think it is very important to get together with the Lady Minister of Children’s Affairs Ms. Rosy Senanayake and work for a Malnutrition free society in the country”, said the Minister of health and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne while addressing the media briefing.

The State Minister of Children’s Affairs Ms. Rosy Senanayake noted that these kinds of reports are really important to educate the public about the challenges children face when they are not well nourished.

While presenting the closing remarks, SUN people’s forum Council Chairperson Ms. Dilka Peiris requested the Minister of Health to make sure that this report is taken into consideration to improve the accountability of Nutrition in the country.

The world view of the report provides information on the status of nutrition around the world taking a great first step. “It is very sad to know that most of the member countries of UNICEF do not have the data for the nutrition report”, said Save the Children Country Director William Lynch. The Global Nutrition Report becomes call to action for nutrition so that governments and civil society actors can begin to put nutrition at the top of their agendas.