Panama, known for the Panama Canal, is characterized by its tropical forests and mountainous terrains, connecting Central America to South America. Over the last two decades, Panama has experienced economic growth and attained the status of a high-income country. However, inequality remains a significant issue, with disparities between the urban, rural and indigenous populations. The government is taking steps to improve the situation and reduce poverty and hunger in Panama. 

Current Statistics

Panama has made significant progress towards decreasing poverty, hunger and malnutrition and achieving SDG 1 and SDG 2.

• Poverty has reduced to 1.54% in Panama in the last twenty years, but it is more than 70%. among the rural and indigenous population. 
• Malnutrition in the population has decreased from 24.5% in 2001 to 4.5% in 2021. 
• Wasting in children under 5 is recorded to be 1%.  Still, challenges remain in reducing stunting, which is reduced to 15.9% at the national level but is as high as 60% among the indigenous population. 

Combating Hunger and Malnutrition with Everyday Foods

Panama’s success has been made possible because of the government’s dedication to combatting inequalities, hunger and malnutrition through various food fortification and nutritional programs. Some of these programs are mentioned here. 

• School Lunch- The Ministry of Education has launched various programs to improve children’s health, especially in the vulnerable population. These initiatives provide meals  (grains) fortified with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, zinc and folate.
• Fortification of Crops- The government of Panama, in collaboration with the other partners, has been running a biofortification program called AgroNutre since 2006. Fortified varieties of beans, sweet potato and maize have been released, whereas pumpkin, cassava and cowpea fortification is planned. 
• Mandatory Fortification of Staple Foods- Panama mandates fortifying wheat flour and rice with essential micronutrients to combat deficiencies among the population. 
• Fortified Milk- In partnership with Tetrapak, the government is providing fortified milk to over 200,000 children in around 400 schools nationwide. The milk is fortified with 10 vitamins, three minerals and Omega 3 and aims to reduce stunting and wasting in children.

Through these initiatives, Panama is bridging disparities in its population and aims to elevate the quality of life for its citizens.

– Maria Waleed

Photo: Flickr