National Guideline for the Management of Acute Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is prone to recurrent droughts that impact food security and water availability, and contribute to high rates of malnutrition in the country. Over the past decade, the Government has applied a two-pronged approach to address malnutrition. The first aspect of the approach focuses on increasing access and availability to food through improved economic growth, better agricultural production systems along with promotion of good nutrition practices and prevention of malnutrition. The second aspect aims to strengthen early warning systems and timely emergency response, including wide-scale delivery of services for the management of acute malnutrition.

This National Guideline for the Management of Acute Malnutrition in Ethiopia aims to improve access to quality services for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). It incorporates the latest international and national evidence on acute malnutrition. The guideline replaces the Protocol for the Management of SAM (2007), and the Guideline for the Management of MAM (2012). It also partially replaces content provided in the Guideline for HIV/AIDS and Nutrition (2010).