EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During 2014, COUNSENUTH continued to keep its commitment to improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups through various cost effective and locally grown evidence based innovative nutrition activities. Despite some financial challenges, the Centre was able to successfully complete over 90% of its targets in 2014. The strategic plan developed in 2012 to be concluded in 2016 gave direction to these achievements made and continued to guide the activities of the organization, including its key role in the Mwanzo Bora and Lishe Ruvuma Nutrition Programmes. Overall, in 2014 COUNSENUTH resources and activities focused on the following main project areas:
Mwanzo Bora Nutrition Programme (MBNP)
MBNP is a USAID funded programme through the Feed the Future (FtF) and Global Health Initiative. It is a five year programme being implemented since October, 2011 in three regions of mainland Tanzania namely Morogoro, Dodoma and Manyara; as well as Zanzibar. COUNSENUTH is among the four consortium members implementing MBNP, where Africare is the lead; others are Deloitte and the Manoff Group. The programme implementation responds to the need for supporting the Tanzania Government in implementing its Five Years National Nutrition Strategy as well as address challenges on maternal anemia and childhood stunting. The MBNP is, therefore, implemented in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania (GoT), The Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), other national level institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The overall goal of the programme is to improve the nutritional status of children, pregnant and lactating women with specific focus on reduction of maternal anemia and childhood stunting by at least 20% in the targeted regions. The programme also supports community and health facility level interventions in Zanzibar.
By 2014 which is the third year of the program, the coverage for services had reached all the 20 program districts.
The targets for training, orientation and supportive supervision had achievement rates surpassing 100%. COUNSENUTH spearheaded the development of a variety of materials for the delivery of the Programme. COUNSENUTH also mentored 1,674 health staff in 826 health facilities on strategies for reducing maternal anaemia and childhood stunting, oriented 1,823 community care providers, 1,800
