By SEPKOLIN WALNE
THE Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Department of Health in Madang on Child Nutrition and Social Protection (CNSP).
The CNSP project is a US$90 million initiative dedicated to reducing and eliminating stunting among children under the age of five.
NDOH project coordinator Dr Godfrey Yikii acknowledge the partnership with CHAI in implementing the health portfolio in Madang.
“Under the CNSP, three government agencies (Implementing Agencies) are collaborating on this project,” he said.
“NDOH responsible for component one with a US$19 million budget to focused on improving nutrition interventions at the community level in selected districts.
Dr Yikii added that since project implementation began in 2022, uniting key stakeholders and partners to reduce stunting has been challenging.
“However, we have made notable progress and learned lessons to work as components and PHAs to effectively deliver the Project Development Objectives and assigned indicators in the results framework,” he said
“The first four implementation catchment areas and PHA districts are; Southern Region: North Fly District, Highlands Region: Kundiawa-Gembogl District, Momase Region: Madang District and New Guinea Islands Region: Gazelle District.
CHAI PNG country manager Brian Wamala said, “CHAI has been working to ensure that we improve immunisation.”
“Immunization is targeting young children. Now, we have the opportunity to take nutrition.
“We are going to work closely with the leaders in Madang to see how we can support both mothers and children.
“At the end of the day, we want to see a child living a better life in this country,” Mr Wamala said.