Integrating Treatment Services for Severe Acute Malnutrition into the National Health System in the Republic of the Philippines

The Philippines has made significant investments and advances in health in recent years. Rapid economic growth and strong country capacity have contributed to Filipinos living longer and healthier. However, not all the benefits of this growth have reached the most vulnerable groups, and the health system remains fragmented. According to WHO/UNICEF, the level of stunting in the Philippines remains ‘high’ at 29.4 per cent (2019 data) and the level of wasting is ‘medium’, with a reduction from 8 per cent in 2013 to 5.8 per cent in 2019.1 This is considerably better than the regional average of 9.1 per cent. Further, at the current rate of progress, the Philippines is on track to achieve the World Health Assembly global nutrition target of <5 per cent wasting by 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of <3 per cent wasting by 2030.

This current study documents progress in integrating SAM treatment services into the health system of the Philippines and draws lessons based on a literature review and key informant interviews.Two complementary analysis methods were used based on two published tools. The analyses identified general strengths and areas for improvement in the integration of SAM within the health system according to six health system functions.