From Geneva, where the 79th World Health Assembly convened, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage, Pierre N’Gou Dimba, unequivocally reiterated the nation’s steadfast commitment. He emphasized the pivotal role of nutrition as a fundamental pillar within Côte d’Ivoire’s overarching health and social development agenda. This significant declaration came during a May 19, 2026, meeting with Shawn Baker, Executive Vice President for Programs and Partnerships at Helen Keller International.
The discussion served to deepen collaborative efforts surrounding critical issues such as optimizing nutrition, enhancing maternal and child health outcomes, and developing impactful programs specifically designed to benefit Côte d’Ivoire’s most vulnerable communities.
Key aspects of Côte d’Ivoire’s proactive stance were thoroughly reviewed, including ongoing initiatives in nutritional supplementation, the fortification of staple foods, and targeted campaigns to combat anemia and micronutrient deficiencies prevalent among expectant mothers and young children.
Minister Dimba underscored the strategic importance of the National Multisectoral Nutrition Plan, which acts as the government’s guiding framework for addressing all forms of malnutrition. He further detailed the progressive mobilization of financial resources, crucial for bolstering the country’s achievements in this sector, a process significantly aided by the continuous support of technical and financial partners.
Shawn Baker, representing the global non-governmental organization Helen Keller International, expressed profound satisfaction regarding the Ivorian government’s launch earlier in 2026 of a new program. This initiative introduces multiple micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women, seamlessly integrated into existing prenatal care services. Its primary goals are to comprehensively address nutritional requirements during pregnancy, substantially reduce the incidence of anemia, and contribute directly to preventing low birth weight.
Furthermore, Baker commended the remarkable progress achieved by Côte d’Ivoire and highlighted the exceptional quality of its ongoing collaboration with Helen Keller International. He specifically acknowledged the success of programs focused on vitamin A supplementation for children under five and various impactful community-based nutrition initiatives.
It is clear that Côte d’Ivoire remains dedicated to strengthening its strategic partnerships, a vital endeavor aimed at accelerating advancements in nutrition, maternal and child health, and ultimately fostering sustainable human development across the nation.
