Joint Study Shows Improved Coverage For Treating Moderate Acute Malnutrition Through Ethiopia's Health Extension Program

A new implementation research study led by Addis Ababa University (AAU), in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Federal Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), finds that treating Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) can be effectively integrated into Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program - bringing essential nutrition services closer to children and families.

Funded by the Government of the United States of America and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the study entitled “Integrating the Management of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) into Ethiopia’s Primary Health Care System: Translating Evidence into Policy” was conducted between 2023 and 2025 across five districts including Girawa (Oromia), Zala (SNNP), Aleta Chuko (Sidama), Mille (Afar), and Adadle (Somali).

Ethiopia continues to make positive strides towards the reduction of malnutrition. According to recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) findings, Ethiopia has achieved a reduction in wasting prevalence from 10 percent in 2016 to five percent in 2026, attributed to the implementation of a robust policy framework.

Historically, MAM treatment has been delivered mainly through humanitarian systems. However, assessments have highlighted gaps in continuity of care and limited links to other health services - underscoring the need to integrate MAM treatment into routine health programs.

The research findings reveal that MAM service delivery through the routine health extension program is feasible and effectively contributed to: 

• Expanded availability of MAM services at nearly all health posts in the study areas 
• Improved coordination among local authorities  
• Better adherence to treatment protocols, leading to modest but positive decline in malnutrition prevalence in targeted districts 
• Stronger supply chain management 
• Increased community awareness of malnutrition services