Unit 7: Nutrition within the National Health Act and Integrated Nutrition Programme

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the legal framework, integrated programmes, and strategic delivery roadmaps for nutrition services within the South African national health system.

National Health Act 61 of 2003

The legal foundation that provides a framework for a structured and uniform health system in South Africa, guiding how nutrition services are planned, funded, and governed.

Primary Health Care (PHC)

The service area where preventive and promotive nutrition services are delivered closest to communities, including treatment guidelines for nutrition and anemia.

Section 28 of the Constitution

The constitutional provision that grants every child the right to basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services, and social services.

Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP)

A programme introduced in the mid-1990s to move beyond isolated food supplementation by addressing underlying causes of malnutrition like illness, poverty, and sanitation.

Integrated response

An approach used by the INP to connect nutrition interventions across preventive, promotive, therapeutic, facility-based, and community-based services.

Growth monitoring and promotion

The regular weighing and assessment of children to early identify growth faltering and undernutrition for referral, counseling, and follow-up.

Targeted Supplementary Feeding (TSF)

A short-term intervention delivered through health facilities to manage moderate malnutrition and prevent severe malnutrition through food supplementation.

Roadmap for Nutrition in South Africa 2013–2017

A five-year framework for implementing nutrition policies using multiple delivery platforms to clarify where, who, and how services are provided.

First 1000 days

The critical window from conception to a child’s second birthday during which nutrition has lasting effects on growth, development, and future health.

IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness)

A child health platform that includes routine nutrition assessments such as weight, length/height, MUAC, and weight-for-height $ext{z-score}$.

Codex Alimentarius

The international system for food standards for which the Department of Health’s Food Control section serves as South Africa’s national contact point.

Health Promotion and Nutrition programme

A Department of Health programme responsible for promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and enabling healthy environments.

Food Control

The section within the Department of Health that coordinates food safety functions and ensures truthful food information as part of public health protection.

Chief Director: Health Promotion and Nutrition

A senior post within the Department of Health responsible for enabling healthy environments and promoting public nutrition messaging.

Micronutrient interventions

Specific health actions including Vitamin A supplementation and the management of anaemia within maternal and child care platforms.