The Kaduna State Government has set a goal to achieve zero malnutrition through stronger community mobilization and increased investment in nutrition interventions. According to Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmed, nutrition is crucial for the future of Kaduna, as proper feeding and care significantly influence children's survival, productivity, and community development. The state government has been working to strengthen nutrition through policy, planning, financing, service delivery, and collaboration with development partners.
A stakeholders' engagement was held in Kaduna to discuss strengthening grassroots nutrition interventions, attended by government officials, development partners, and nutrition stakeholders. The event aimed to promote community ownership and participation in nutrition interventions. Commissioner Ahmed emphasized that successful nutrition interventions depend on activities at the grassroots level, where families make decisions about food, childcare, and healthcare.
The state government has made progress in treating children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. According to Director of Nutrition Services Ramatu Haruna, Kaduna treated about 42,000 severely malnourished children with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food. In the first quarter of the year, 24,836 children were enrolled for treatment, with 15,000 cured, while 17,400 were enrolled in the second quarter, with 6,363 successfully cured.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of addressing the nutritional needs of girls, as social preferences can sometimes result in boys receiving better food than girls. Commissioner for Youth Development Gloria Ibrahim emphasized that proper nutrition is essential for developing a strong, vibrant, and intellectually capable youth population. Her ministry is ready to collaborate with stakeholders to promote nutrition interventions.
UNICEF has pledged to support the government in providing equitable access to quality nutrition services. According to Dr. Gerida Birukila, engaging communities directly will help improve nutrition outcomes for children and women across Kaduna State. The meeting recognized and awarded cash prizes to three outstanding spouses of council chairmen for supporting nutrition interventions in their respective areas.
Stakeholders at the engagement emphasized the need for stronger nutrition financing in the state's budget. Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation, Shehu Yunusa, pledged support for increased nutrition financing in the next year's state budget. He believes that a healthy state is a wealthy state and that the Assembly is committed to supporting resource mobilization for improved nutrition outcomes.
The Kaduna State Government's efforts to achieve zero malnutrition involve a multi-faceted approach, including policy, planning, financing, service delivery, and community mobilization. Key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and nutrition experts, are working together to ensure that nutrition interventions are effective and sustainable. The goal of achieving zero malnutrition in Kaduna State is a top priority, with a focus on promoting community ownership and participation in nutrition interventions.
Key points
- The Kaduna State Government aims to achieve zero malnutrition through grassroots mobilisation and increased investment in nutrition interventions.
- The state government has made progress in treating children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with 42,000 children treated with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for stronger nutrition financing in the state's budget to support improved nutrition outcomes.
