Andina

Peru on the frontline of fight against chronic child malnutrition

Cuna Más establece protocolo de acción frente a heladas y friaje.

Cuna Más establece protocolo de acción frente a heladas y friaje.

00:00 | Lima, Sep. 27.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation identified Peru as a worldwide example of a country that tackles chronic child malnutrition as a means to protect health in children.

According to the philanthropic organization, Peru's progress is "amazing" and makes it stand out among the six study cases presented in the foundation's report "Goalkeepers: The Stories Behind the Data."

"Peru's story is impressive […]," reads the report.


This recognition was highlighted in a recent BBC news article, which reviews political and sanitation strategies that helped reduce chronic child malnutrition among children under age 5, from 28% to 13% between 2006 and 2016.

The news story says the Inca nation designed its own model based on the available scientific evidence, plus combining civil society and government efforts. 


According to the BBC website, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's administration seeks to cut chronic child malnutrition to 6.4% by 2021.

"The National Plan against Anemia and Chronic Child Malnutrition 2017-2021 was launched in April to achieve that goal," it underlines.


On the other hand, Bill and Melinda Gates said: "Stunting is one of the most powerful, but most complex, measures in global health."

And "Peru proved that stunting is a solvable problem when leaders are committed to following the evidence," they said in the foundation's first annual report on remarkable progress against global poverty and disease.

The BBC article highlights that international organizations like UNICEF and the World Bank have also lauded the progress made by Peru, which in 2005 had one of the highest rates of chronic infant malnutrition in Latin America.


(END) NDP/RMB/MVB

Published: 9/27/2017