A new implementation research study led by Addis Ababa University, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Federal Ministry of Health and the World Food Programme, has found that treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) can be effectively integrated into Ethiopia’s national Health Extension Program. Conducted between 2023 and 2025 across multiple districts, the study shows that embedding nutrition services within primary healthcare systems can bring essential care closer to children and families while improving accessibility and continuity of treatment.
The findings demonstrate that integrating MAM services into routine health programmes significantly expanded service availability at local health posts and improved coordination among authorities. It also strengthened adherence to treatment protocols, enhanced supply chain management, and increased community awareness, contributing to a modest but meaningful decline in malnutrition rates in the targeted areas.
Researchers and officials highlighted that this integrated approach enables earlier identification of malnutrition cases and ensures more equitable access to life-saving care beyond emergency responses. The study emphasises the importance of sustained financing, reliable supply systems, and continued training for frontline health workers to maintain and scale these improvements nationwide.
The initiative builds on Ethiopia’s broader progress in tackling malnutrition, with national data showing a reduction in wasting prevalence from 10 percent in 2016 to 5 percent in 2026. Historically reliant on humanitarian delivery systems, MAM treatment has faced challenges related to continuity and integration with other health services, reinforcing the need for system-wide approaches.
The study’s results were presented at a national workshop in Addis Ababa, bringing together government officials, development partners, and researchers to explore pathways for scaling up integrated nutrition services. The collaboration underscores how evidence-based policy and coordinated efforts can strengthen healthcare delivery and accelerate progress in addressing child and maternal malnutrition across Ethiopia.
