Malawi continues to grapple with alarming levels of child malnutrition, with 38% of children under the age of five suffering from stunted growth, according to the 2024 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey.
Deputy Minister of Health Noah Chimpeni revealed the sobering statistic during the launch of the National Multisectoral Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan (2025–2030), a renewed framework aimed at reversing malnutrition and improving child health outcomes.
“Malnutrition is a national crisis that is holding back our children and our country,” Chimpeni warned. “Only 8.7% of children receive the minimum acceptable diet, and just 24% meet the required dietary diversity. These numbers demand urgent, coordinated action.”
The new policy, launched under the theme “Nourishing Malawi: Building a Healthier Future Together,” outlines a comprehensive strategy led by the Ministry of Health’s Department of Nutrition.
It targets the root causes of malnutrition—ranging from poverty and poor dietary practices to systemic issues in health, agriculture, and education—and calls for preventive, community-driven interventions.
Chimpeni called on all sectors and stakeholders to play a more active role, particularly in changing behaviour through education and youth engagement.
His message was echoed by Dr. George Chithope Mwale, Director of Nutrition, who emphasised that malnutrition contributes to nearly $600 million in annual economic losses—a staggering 10.3% of Malawi’s GDP.
“We must not lose momentum,” Dr. Mwale said. “Between 2018 and 2022, we saw progress in reducing acute malnutrition. But stunting remains dangerously high, and unless we scale up our efforts, we risk losing an entire generation to preventable setbacks.”
Dr. Andrew Jamali of the National Planning Commission stressed that nutrition is key to building Malawi’s human capital. “This is not just a health issue—it affects education outcomes, gender equality, and our resilience to climate change. Nutrition is central to sustainable development.”
International development partners welcomed the strategy with commitments to sustained support.
Speaking for the German government and a consortium of donors, Andreas Hartmann praised the six strategic priorities, including sustainable food systems and behaviour change.
Germany has invested €80 million through GIZ initiatives since 2015, a commitment that will continue through 2027.
UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Penelope Campbell, Chair of the Donors in Nutrition Security Group, urged all actors to move beyond policy declarations to real impact. “Policies don’t change lives—implementation does,” she said. “We must see nutrition as an investment, not a cost.”
World Vision Malawi’s Advocacy and Campaigns Manager Lizzie Lombe highlighted the link between child nutrition and national development, calling for greater media engagement and inclusion of children’s voices.
Their Enough campaign continues to push for stronger regulatory frameworks, school feeding programs, and emergency nutrition support.
As Malawi embarks on this critical phase, the high rate of child stunting underscores the scale of the challenge ahead.
The new policy presents both a moral and strategic opportunity: to secure every child’s right to grow, thrive, and contribute to the nation’s future.
