COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Health (BARMM) launched the Regional Plan of Action for Nutrition (RPAN) for the years 2023-2028, on October 28, 2024, at MOH compound, Cotabato City.

The Regional Nutrition Committee initiated and developed the RPAN as a response to the alarming nutritional problems in BARMM. It also aims to lower malnutrition by 10% in 2028.

In 2019, the World Bank conducted a study on children’s nutrition in BARMM. It reported a high prevalence rate of both stunting and wasting among children under five (5) years of age. These nutritional gaps stemmed from inadequate and lack of nutrition that resulted in malnutrition.

Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al-Hajj, together with Health Minister Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr., MD, MOH-Nutrition Division Chief Ms. Celia Sagaral, and other developmental partners and BARMM agencies, pledge to eradicate malnutrition in BARMM.