Making the Tanzania National Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan (NMNAP) More Actionable at the Grassroots Level
DOWNLOADDecember 2, 2024 - Dr. John M. Msuya
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EmailThe policy brief "Making the Tanzania National Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan (NMNAP) More Actionable at the Grassroots Level," authored by Dr. John M. Msuya of the Sokoine University of Agriculture, reviews the NMNAP’s implementation challenges and provides policy recommendations to strengthen its effectiveness at lower levels of governance.
Tanzania's NMNAP, introduced in 2016, aimed to mobilize multiple sectors in addressing malnutrition. While the plan has seen progress at the district, regional, and national levels, its implementation at ward, village, and mtaa levels remains limited. Rural councils often face budget constraints that inhibit adequate nutrition investments, while coordination mechanisms are hindered by poor attendance at required committee meetings and inconsistent inclusion of nutrition as a standing agenda item.
Key challenges identified include:
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Lack of clear nutrition indicators for assessing sectoral contributions to nutrition improvements.
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Limited capacity for data collection, processing, and use in decision-making at sub-council levels.
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Over-reliance on national-level data, such as Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), which lack granularity for local decision-making.
The brief advocates for the following policy changes to address these issues:
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Establishment of Nutrition-Focused Roles: Include dedicated nutrition positions in government structures at sub-council levels to ensure coordinated and sustained nutrition-related activities.
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Capacity Building: Train and equip council members to collect, analyze, and utilize data effectively for evidence-based decision-making.
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Improved Indicators: Develop measurable and sector-specific nutrition indicators to assess the performance of multisectoral entities and enhance accountability.
The brief highlights the broader implications of addressing malnutrition, emphasizing the importance of integrating nutrition into key development sectors like agriculture, water, education, and health. Enhanced grassroots implementation of the NMNAP would not only reduce malnutrition but also contribute to Tanzania’s overall socioeconomic development.
Key Takeaways:
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Grassroots implementation of NMNAP is limited by poor coordination, lack of resources, and insufficient data.
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Nutrition-focused roles and better data systems at local levels are critical for addressing malnutrition effectively.
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Developing clear, actionable indicators can improve sectoral accountability and enhance program outcomes.
