The Kaduna State Government, in partnership with development partners
says it will strengthen preventive intervention against malnutrition among children, women and adolescents.
Malam Salisu Lawal, the Director, Development Aid Coordination, Planning and Budget Commission, said this in Zaria
on Friday at the opening of a two-day quarterly coordination and review meeting.
The meeting was organised by the state Committee on Food and Nutrition with the Nutrition Focal Persons (NFPs) in 23
local government areas of the state, supported by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Lawal said that the government with support from UNICEF and other development partners were refocusing
on nutrition intervention to preventive measures, which he described as “cost effective”.
He identified the other development partners as Save the Children International, Alive and Thrive (fhi 360), Civil
Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, and Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria.
He commended development partners for supporting the state government to address the problem of malnutrition
affecting women and children and adolescents.
He said “we have achieved a lot in 2021 in spite of apparent challenges, but we can do better in 2022 if we strengthen
preventive measures.”
Dr Zakari Adam, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, described preventive intervention as “strategic” in the
ongoing efforts to address malnutrition among children under five years.
Adam, who was represented by Mrs Chinwe Ezeife, a Nutrition Specialist, said “If we fail to prevent, we treat,
but prevention is the way to go.
“More emphasis is on preventing children, women, and adolescents from becoming malnourished. We all need to
be on this together so that while we treat, we ensure no child is becoming malnourished.”
He urged the NFPs to equally pay attention to food hygiene and safety while promoting infant and young child
feeding practices in communities.
This, according to him, is critical to preventing undue consumption of chemically-preserved foods, particularly fruits.
He added that “we are pushing for the consumption of fruits and vegetables, but most of the fruits are filled with
chemicals to fasten ripening.
“This is putting our children and women at risk.”
He pledged continued support of UNICEF to strengthen interventions that would ensure adequate growth, safety,
and development of children in the state.
Earlier, Mrs Sarah Kwasu, the State Team Lead, Alive and Thrive (fhi 360), said the organisation was committed
to stronger partnership with Kaduna State to address Maternal, Infant and Young Nutrition issues.
Kwasu said that the Phase II of the Alive and Thrive project had been expanded from child centred to cover
maternal nutrition and from 16 local government areas to the 23 areas.
Mr Zayed Baidu, the Secretary, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, also said that the civil society
alliance would work with the state government to scale-up effective nutrition interventions and sensitise
communities.
NAN
