By Joseph Edegbo
Kaduna (Nigeria) – A non-profit organization, Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative (FHANI), is to partner Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) on nutrition – this is part of efforts to fight malnutrition in Kaduna State, northwest of the country,
To this end, an interactive session has been held between both parties to give more attention to child, adolescent and maternal nutrition through advocacy.
Wife of the Governor of Kaduna State and chairperson of the Action Plan, Ummi Garba El – Rufai, said at the meeting that there is an urgent task to facilitate the integration of nutritional intervention in Primary Health Services to achieve the desired result.
She said KADENAP was all out to solicit for collaboration and mobilize resources and technical expertise to fight malnutrition in the state.
To demonstrate its commitment, Ummi said the State government has been meeting its financial obligation with the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF.
The chairperson said KADENAP had so far met with traditional and religious leaders on the scale up nutrition, promotion of exclusive breastfeeding, adolescent nutrition in schools and communities.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hafsat Baba who was also the Secretary of FHANI, had given a brief history of the advocacy group which has been in existence for the 7 past years and whose activities have been applauded by development partners.
She told Wife of the Governor that apart from maternal health, the advocacy group also engages in other health issues, assuring that with the involvement of FHANI, fighting malnutrition would be a success story in the State.
KADENAP is a body set up early this year by Kaduna State government to fast track it’s intervention on nutrition.
