Page 172 - ANUAL REPORT MOH 2017

NUTRITION DIVISION

Nutrition activities in Ministry of Health Malaysia began in the ’50s where it was integrated into the
service of Maternal and Child Health Care. In 1974, the post of Food Nutrition Science Officer (PZM)
was first established under the Unit Maternal and Child headquarters level, Ministry of Health. Starting
in 1977, the post of Food Nutrition Science Officer (PZM) grew and established even at State Level.
With a background degree in Nutrition, Food Nutrition Science (PZM) profession becomes the key
driver to nutritional programs in Malaysia.

The Nutrition Branch was established in 1995 under the Family Health Development Division. The
branch then, has three (3) units:
i. Nutrition Planning and Development Unit
ii. Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit
iii. Nutrition Promotion Unit

The Nutrition Branch has been upgraded to the Nutrition Division from October 16, 2009, led by the
Director of the Division. The establishment of this division is to improve the quality and availability of
nutritional services to all segments of society.

Beginning in 2017, in tandem with the development of nutritional services, two (2) existing branches,
the Nutrition Planning and Development Branch and Nutrition Operational Branch have grown into
three (3) branches. These three (3) branches are:
i. The Planning & Nutrition Policy Branch - consists of the National Coordinating Food & Nutrition
Policy Sector, Professional Development, Standard and Quality Sector, Policy and Global Nutrition
Sector, and Nutrition Surveillance Sector
ii. The Family Nutrition Branch - consists of the Nutrition Maternal Sector, the Infant & Young Child
Feeding (Under 5 Years) Sector, the Nutrition for Children and Adolescents Sector and the Adult
and Elderly Nutrition Sector.
iii. The Community & Inter Agency Nutrition Branch - comprises of the Obesity & Non-Communicable
Disease Related to Nutrition Sector, Industry Collaboration Sector, Institutional Nutrition Sector,
and Nutrition Advocacy and Service Sector

FUNCTION OF DIVISION

• Plan, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate nutrition programs in four aspects, namely, planning,
monitoring, promoting and rehabilitating nutrition.
• Development, advocacy and implementation of the National Nutrition Policy.
• Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Plan of Action for Nutrition in Malaysia
(NPANM).
• Provides comprehensive nutritional services to individuals, families and society to encourage
healthy nutritional practices.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017 171