The National Information Platform for Nutrition (NIPN) data analysis unit conducted a comprehensive data mapping exercise from 9 – 11 July 2024, to boost accessibility of health & nutrition indicators across all sectors. This exercise marked the second round of central-level data mapping and expanded it to the first sub-national mapping for the six provinces (Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Khammouane, Savannakhet, Salavan, and Sekong).
This three-day workshop brought together central and provincial stakeholders from health, education, agriculture, and planning sectors. The workshop strived to update the existing data landscape and to identify databases used by sectors at both central and provincial levels. Further, this exercise was conducted to explore the availability of nutrition-specific, nutrition-sensitive, and enabling environment indicators concerning maternal and child health.
The first day of the workshop was focused on central-level data mapping, building upon the initial exercise conducted in 2019. The subsequent two days of the workshop were devoted to sub-national data mapping with the support of participants from central level.
The purpose of this exercise was to enhance NIPN’s data repository for stakeholders to timely access nutrition-related data collected routinely and through surveys.
In concluding remarks, Dr. Sitthiroth Rsphone, Director General of the Development Research Institute and Dr. Kovalan Kumaran, Nutrition specialist, UNICEF stated that, the data mapping exercise will provide valuable insights to policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in the nutrition field and act as a driving force in the country’s efforts in addressing nutrition-related challenges and informing evidence-based policy decisions.