Policy overview of the multisectoral nutrition planning process: The progress, challenges, and lessons learned from Burkina Faso

Abstract

Summary Introduction Malnutrition is a multifactorial problem, and multisectoral planning is an indispensable tool. The objective of this study was (a) to evaluate the extent to which nutrition is integrated into policies and (b) to describe the process used by the government of Burkina Faso to reform its policy frameworks and multisectoral nutrition planning. Methods This was a qualitative study, and data were collected in two key steps: first, through a policy overview conducted in 2015 and, second, in November 2017, through a document review and individual stakeholder interviews with 32 key actors involved in national nutrition planning. Results The extent to which nutrition is integrated into development policies varied from one sector to another. Since 2014, Burkina Faso has initiated nutrition planning through a multisectoral approach involving six sectors. This process was implemented in three key stages. Progress includes revision of national nutrition policy towards multisectoral perspective, formulation of a consensual and quality multisectoral nutrition strategic plan, creation of nutrition budget line, and establishment of nutrition technical secretariat. Conclusion To improve the anchoring of multisectoral coordination bodies at the supra‐ministerial level, mobilizing resources and promoting sector accountability are key next steps that would contribute to the success of the implementation.

Coherence for nutrition: insights from nutrition-relevant policies and programmes in Burkina Faso and Nigeria

“…agriculture and education), including fewer resources to support nutrition-related activities and challenges in coordination, planning and decision-making for nutrition. Similarly, Ouedraogo et al . (2020) identified variations in the extent to which nutrition is integrated into different sector policies in Burkina Faso.…”

Exploring the patterns of a multisectoral approach in fighting COVID-19 pandemic in SNNPR, Ethiopia: A qualitative case study approach.

“…Most of the times the monitoring and follow-up processes were done three times a week at regional, zonal, city administration and woreda levels by the main taskforces with some degree of staggering. The approach in this study is in line with the WHO and FMOH guidelines and working directives [41,42,43,44] Limitation observed in the due course of the multisectoral approaches intervention, monitoring and evaluation?…”

Scaling up nutrition through multisectoral planning: An exploratory review of 26 national nutrition plans

“…Previous literature has also indicated the critical role of advocacy and engagement to facilitate resource mobilization, prioritization and implementation (Darnton-Hill et al, 1998;Field, 1987;Lamstein et al, 2016;Ouedraogo et al, 2019;Pomeroy-Stevens et al, 2016). In this review, although the majority of plans did include at least some advocacy-related actions at national and subnational levels to promote implementation, engage stakeholders, or mobilize resources, the level of details varied and were missing completely in nearly a quarter of the plans-indicating this as an area for further strengthening.…”

“…More broadly, although this review cannot comment on the success and impact of the plans reviewed in reducing malnutrition and establishing a robust enabling environment for nutrition, previous literature has suggested an association between the existence of national MSNPs-and other evidence of institutional commitment to nutrition-and nutrition outcomes (Fracassi et al, 2020;Sunguya et al, 2014). For example, after the development of their multisectoral nutrition strategic plan, Burkina Faso continued efforts towards operationalization, which led to the creation of a nutrition budget line and the establishment of a nutrition technical secretariat to lead nutrition implementation (Ouedraogo et al, 2019). In Nepal, their MSNP led to improvements in the coordination, advocacy and sustainable structures for nutrition action (Pomeroy-Stevens et al, 2016).…”

“…Although there is growing literature that explores the role of nutrition planning in advancing the nutrition enabling environment and progress on nutritional outcomes (Acosta & Fanzo, 2012;Fracassi et al, 2020;Heidkamp et al, 2021;Lamstein et al, 2016;Michaud-Létourneau & Pelletier, 2017;Ouedraogo et al, 2019;Pomeroy-Stevens et al, 2016), there is limited multi-country literature exploring how and to what extent countries are translating global guidance around nutrition into multisectoral country planning. This exploratory review assesses 26 SUN countries' national MSNPs using a defined set of basic characteristics of a quality MSNP.…”