Publication: Assessing Public Financing for Nutrition in Sri Lanka (2014-2018)
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2021-10
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2021-11-29
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Relative to other countries in the region, Sri Lanka has invested modestly on nutrition programs and interventions. Current nutrition programs in Sri Lanka need to be reviewed, both in terms of design and beneficiaries, and prioritized in terms of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and good practices. The resource allocation for nutrition-specific interventions deserves revisiting, considering that these investments are driven by the nutrition agenda, and are more responsive to real needs. Mainstreaming nutrition in other sectors is also necessary, to ensure more voice in decision making, and to strengthen multisectoral engagement and coordination in nutrition. Targeted programs can be more cost-effective than blanket coverage as long as the targets are well selected, and a prioritization exercise is conducted to consider negative side effects. Nutrition awareness-raising programs and educational and promotive activities may deserve more allocation.
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“World Bank. 2021. Assessing Public Financing for Nutrition in Sri Lanka (2014-2018). Health, Nutrition and Population Knowledge Brief;. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/36625 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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Publication Assessing Public Financing for Nutrition in Sri Lanka (2014–2018)(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2020-02-29)This study aims to assess the public financing for nutrition in Sri Lanka. The primary purpose is to understand the size and share of public investments in nutrition relative to the overall level of public expenditure in the country. Second, it discusses whether the nutrition interventions in which the government budget is spent are in line with the global evidence base and priorities set out in national policies. It also provides some recommendations on how such assessments could be improved from challenges and difficulties faced in undertaking this exercise. This report begins with background and contextual information of nutrition in Sri Lanka (chapter two). It then provides an overview of globally practiced nutrition interventions and policies and programs that have been implemented in the country (chapter three). 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