Africazine:
The Kaduna State Government is taking decisive steps to combat malnutrition through enhanced coordination and program implementation.
During a recent meeting in Zaria, officials reaffirmed their commitment to improving nutrition across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The gathering, organized by the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission with UNICEF’s support, reviewed past nutrition activities and identified challenges in implementation.
Strengthening Nutrition Programs in Kaduna State
The State Committee on Food and Nutrition, led by Mukhtar Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of collaboration among sectors to improve maternal and child nutrition. He acknowledged the support from UNICEF and other partners in enhancing nutrition services.
Abdullahi highlighted the state’s efforts to increase budgetary support for nutrition programs at the local level. This includes a focus on practical strategies to address gaps identified during the review meeting.
Kaduna’s Nutrition Coverage and Challenges
Jibril Isah, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Nutrition, pointed out that undernutrition significantly contributes to child mortality, linking it to various health issues. He noted that Vitamin A supplementation could reduce child deaths by up to 34 percent.
Recent figures show that Kaduna achieved an 82 percent coverage for Vitamin A supplementation among children aged six to 59 months. However, deworming coverage remains low at 36 percent, indicating areas needing urgent attention.
Next Steps for Nutrition Improvement
- Identify poorly performing areas for targeted interventions.
- Develop practical recommendations to strengthen nutrition coordination.
- Encourage open discussions on implementation challenges.
Efforts to enhance nutrition services in Kaduna State are crucial for improving health outcomes for mothers and children.
