The Chair of the Health Care and Social Issues Committee, Dimitri Khundadze held the meeting with the UNICEF international advisor, Doctor Linda Shaker Barbari to discuss the regulation of nutrition of the mothers, children and adolescents.

D. Khundadze emphasized the resonant information concerning the UNICEF survey in Georgia revealing more than 77000 children at the edge of starving and 300 children dead per annum.

He noted that exaggeration of the reality serves for the political speculations and the proper terms should be used. Due to the absence of the definition of “starving”, it is the problem of malnutrition and adequate perception of this problem reflects the real problem, which was approved by the UNICEF representative.

The parties discussed the UNICEF survey “Analysis of the Gaps in Nutrition Policy of Georgia” aiming at study of the regulations for nutrition of the mothers, children and adolescents and facilitation of development of the comprehensive agenda meeting the respective needs, improving health and other indices in the country.

D. Khundadze dwelt on the Committee activity in this direction, namely social allowances, the state program for demographic improvement, the same program in highlands, aid for the families in crisis, issue of the electricity vouchers to the families with many children etc. The parties overviewed the UNICEF pilot program envisaging improvement of the nutrition in schools.

According to D. Khundadze, the Committee has already started working on this issue and coordinates with various respective agencies.

Solution of this program will facilitate eradication of child poverty and elimination of malnutrition.