Milk vouchers better way to prevent stunting among kids

2026-03-06 - 00:03

A parliamentary committee has proposed introducing or retargeting milk subsidies to address nutritional deficiencies that contribute to stunting among children. (Envato Elements pic) PETALING JAYA: The government should introduce targeted milk vouchers for vulnerable households instead of blanket subsidies to better address child stunting, says a health think tank. According to the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, vouchers exchangeable for fresh milk or similar dairy products would ensure children in need benefit directly. “(Blanket) milk subsidies will likely go to waste as there is no guarantee that vulnerable families will actually buy milk,” its CEO, Azrul Khalib, told FMT. On the other hand, Azrul said that for B40 households especially, targeted vouchers would reduce or even remove the financial burden of ensuring children consume milk regularly. Last month, the parliamentary special select committee on women, children and community development proposed introducing or retargeting milk subsidies to address nutritional deficiencies that contribute to stunting among children. Its chairman, Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, said the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey revealed that the stunting rate among children under five rose to 21.2% from 17.7% in 2015, and that Malaysia was recently reported to be the only Asean country to see an increase in stunting between 2000 and 2024. Shortfall in school milk programme Azrul said the school milk programme (SMP) was useful as it focused on a captive group of children in schools, but noted it only covered those aged above six. “Milk is one of the easiest ways to address stunting, but (its impact) depends on affordability, access and frequency,” he said. Under the SMP, introduced in 1983 to complement the education ministry’s supplementary food programme, every child from Year 1 to Year 6 in all government and government-aided schools was given a carton of UHT milk at school. The objective was to combat or address multi-dimensional poverty issues, particularly those closely related to malnutrition among children from B40 families. Azrul said given the fact that stunting continues to prevail among children in that age group, as seen in the data, it suggests that the children are not drinking the milk, not getting it regularly or not at all. “Therefore, an evaluation of that programme is necessary,” he said. He called for broader efforts and greater public awareness campaigns to cultivate a culture of milk consumption. Diet quality matters Yasmin Ooi, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, told FMT that while milk provides essential nutrients for growth and bone health, overall diet quality and access to nutritious food are equally essential. She said lowering food prices can help, but broad subsidies for grocery may not necessarily benefit the child who needs it most. “Providing milk through schools ensures children have direct access to it,” she said. Ooi said UHT milk supplied under school programmes is safe but warned that improper handling after distribution or delayed consumption can still lead to food poisoning. She also said that plain, unsweetened milk is preferable to flavoured or sweetened options, which can increase sugar intake and cause dental problems.