Lao PDR

2020 Country Profile

Joined: April 2011

Population: 7.28 million

Nutrition situation

Under five stunting (%) 33.1
Under five overweight (%) 3.5
Anaemia in women 15-49 years (%) 39.7
Under five wasting (%) 9
Low birth weight (%) 17.3
0 to 5-month-old exclusive breastfeeding (%) 44.4
Adolescent overweight (%) Male: 14.1 / Female: 10.9
Adult overweight (%) Male: 22.5 / Female: 27.9
Adult obesity (%) Male: 3.7 / Female: 6.7
Adult diabetes (%) Male: 7.7 / Female: 7.6

COVID-19 snapshot

Coordinated government and partner response. National nutrition programme guidance was made available for service providers. Infant and Young Child Feeding during COVID-19 behaviour change messages were developed. Pipeline of essential commodities was secured. SUN stakeholders participated in virtual SUN regional meeting.

Institutional transformations 2019-2020

Total weighted
68.8%
2014
38%
2015
74%
2016
79%
2017
79%
2018
79%
2019
90%
2020
90%

Bringing people together into a shared space for action

Multi-stakeholder and multisectoral platforms exist at both the national and subnational level, with the levels often being linked. The 5th Annual Nutrition Forum meeting was held in December 2019 and brought together over 250 multisectoral stakeholders. Provincial nutrition committees and secretariats exist in all provinces and bring together the education, agriculture, planning, health, donor and NGO partners. There are district nutrition committees and regular SUN Network meetings.
2014
34%
2015
40%
2016
46%
2017
46%
2018
57%
2019
58%
2020
64%

Ensuring a coherent policy and legal framework

The National Plan of Action on Nutrition (NPAN) 2021–2025 is being revised by experts and is expected to be completed by 2021. The Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes decree entitled “On Food Products and Feeding Equipment for Infants and Toddlers” was signed by the Prime Minister of Lao PDR in December 2019, a result of advocacy and technical assistance from United Nations and civil society alliance. The SUN Business Network Laos strategy plan was endorsed by the National Nutrition Center.
2014
21%
2015
45%
2016
64%
2017
69%
2018
75%
2019
75%
2020
71%

Aligning actions around common results

National Nutrition Centre Secretariat/Office reports quarterly and annually to members and the General Assembly about progress and updates on the National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action. Development of a Model Nutrition Villages Handbook has been developed, with the approval of the Prime Minister, and is being disseminated to all provinces throughout the country for implementation. The limitation of nutrition service delivery remains primarily due to limited capacity of health staff.
2014
24%
2015
35%
2016
58%
2017
58%
2018
63%
2019
50%
2020
50%

Financial tracking and resource mobilisation

The National Assembly has continued prioritising nutrition and pays significant attention to monitoring the implementation of nutrition programmes according to budget allocation and a set of indicators. Most internal funding support is aligned with the NPAN and the national and subnational priority geographical areas. The majority of financial support for the multisectoral coordination on nutrition depends on external financing.

2020-2021 Priorities


  • Update the National Plan of Action for Nutrition 2021–2025.

  • Implement the code of marketing and enforcement.

  • Upgrade the nutrition centre to the institute.

  • Conduct nutrition surveillance activities.

  • Conduct the national research “LSIS3”.

  • Mapping exercise completed for 2021.

  • Promote nutrition and make recommendations for postpartum women in 18 provinces during COVID-19.

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Lao PDR country profile