By Mohammed Suleiman, Dutse
The Jigawa State Chapter of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition In Nigeria, CS-SUNN, has expressed concern over the increased indices of 64 per cent of Children under five stunted and called on the state government to take prompt action to addressing malnutrition in the state.
It says the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey ( NDHS 2018) indicates that Jigawa State faces considerable challenges with 64 per cent of Children under five are stunted representing 42.3 per cent underweight, and nine point six wasted which underscores the need for urgent concerted efforts
The State Chairman of the organization, Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafingana who stated this at a Media Roundtable in Dutse, urged policy makers to do the needful.
To address the challenging issue of malnutrition, the Jigawa state government through the state Committee on Food and Nutrition in collaboration with key stakeholders, had reviewed the expired Multisectoral Strategic Plan of Action for food and Nutrition, but yet no action was feasibly enacted as a policy approved for implementation, he said
He said it has also been observed that the Jigawa State Food and Nutrition Policy is yet to be approved to become officially operational in the state.
According to Kafin-Gana, the.non approval of the state MSPFAN serves as a persistent barrier affecting the adoption of a coordinated multi sectoral approach by various nutrition related Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDA’s) in promoting food and nutrition security in Jigawa state.
In a remark, the Program Officer, CS – SUNN, Mr. Ambrose Euhoesar emphasized the need to further ensure that all infants in Jigawa state live healthier and more productive lives.
“Achieving this goal necessitates the advocacy for the extension of paid maternity leave from three to six months, and the establishment of workplace creches, as these measures play a key role in promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until two years of age.
According to him, there is an urgent need for the timely releases and effective utilisation of allocated funds for nutrition programmes in jigawa state while urging the state government to approve and review the MSPFAN, allocate and release promptly adequate funds for the implementation of nutrition interventions designed to reduce malnutrition in the state.
The One day Media roundtable resolved to intensify reporting on nutrition issues, attracting policy Maker’s and concern stakeholders in taking decisive steps towards curbing malnutrition in jigawa state.
The meeting also called on organizations in Jigawa state to partner CS- SUNN in advocating for the implementation of maternal and Child nutrition intervention with collective commitment to consistently promote a comprehensive community health education initiative on nutrition.