Multisectoral nutrition planning in Nepal: Evidence from an organizational network analysis.

Jenny Ruducha,Harriet Torlesse,Carlyn Mann,Amiya Bhatia

doi:10.1111/mcn.13112

Jenny Ruducha, Harriet Torlesse + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13112

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Abstract

Multisectoral approaches are central to the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Nepal joined SUN in 2011 and approved the first 5‐year Multisectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP) in 2012, covering 2013–2017. This mixed methods study draws on organizational network analysis (ONA) and qualitative interviews with a sample of 22 organizations to examine (1) levels of engagement and network dynamics among government sectors and development organizations and (2) milestones and processes in the development and implementation of Nepal's MSNP. Findings suggest that the development of the MSNP was related to the high density of organizational connections; the leadership role of the Nepal's National Planning Commission and the National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat; and the bridging roles played by a few government ministries and UN agencies that linked organizations that did not have direct relationships with each other. Specialized roles were observed for the three types of working relationships: policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation. Partners were less connected on MSNP implementation than for policy dialogue and strategic planning, which may have constrained collaborative scale‐up efforts. The Ministry of Agricultural Development, in particular, was the conduit for connecting non‐health sectors into the broader network. Our study offers insights into the structure and dynamics of multisectoral planning in Nepal. It also contributes to a small but growing literature that illustrates how ONA can be applied to measure and use network results to elucidate the processes for strengthening multisectoral planning and implementation of nutrition‐specific and nutrition‐sensitive interventions.

Highlights

Multisectoral approaches for nutrition feature prominently in the strategies and plans of governments in middle- and low-income countries
Multisectoral approaches were revived in the last decade in response to growing evidence of the impacts of malnutrition on child survival, development and economic growth (Black et al, 2013), the need for progress on nutrition to achieve multiple Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (UNICEF, 2009) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Development Initiatives, 2017) and the recognition that a combination of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions is needed to tackle the multiple determinants of malnutrition (Bhutta et al, 2013; Black et al, 2013; Ruel, Quisumbing, & Balagamwala, 2018)
Following the launch of the Nutrition Assessment and Gap Analysis (NAGA) report, the National Nutrition Seminar was held in October 2010 and affirmed the need for a multisectoral nutrition plan (Government of Nepal National Planning Commission, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

Multisectoral approaches for nutrition feature prominently in the strategies and plans of governments in middle- and low-income countries. Such approaches were adopted as early as the 1970s, they often achieved short-lived results due to wavering political support, a lack of sustainable resources and inadequate institutional capacity (Levinson & Balarajan, 2013; Warren & Frongillo, 2017). The global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement in 2010 brought greater attention to nutrition governance in achieving a sustainable reduction in malnutrition (Acosta & Fanzo, 2012). It mobilized multiple stakeholders—governments, donors, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector—in collective multisectoral country-led efforts to improve nutrition. Of the 61 countries that joined the SUN movement, 55 have a multi-stakeholder coordination platform, and 42 have a multi-year nutrition plan (Scaling up Nutrition Movement, 2019)

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