By Danlami Nmodu
A Two day cross-sectoral sensitization program and field visit to tackle infant malnutrition across Katsina state was held recently.
The program which coordinated Hon. Fatima Y. Usman Katsina, Governor Bello Masari’s female aide on Development Partners and Donor Agencies was meant to draw the attention of the people and policy makers to the problem of malnutrition.
The State Governor was represented at the sensitization programmed by Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, Secretary to the Government of the State.
In her opening remarks Fatima said, the Aminu Masari administration believes that the welfare of children is paramount, adding that,”through this sensitization dialogue for Infant and Young Child Feeding and Field visit to Kaita LGA CMAM malnutrition Treatment Centre in collaboration with out dear partners,UNICEF, we want to highlight that the welfare of our children is an aggregate issue, a cross sectoral matter that includes a value chain which cuts across nutrition,health,good sanitation and hygiene practices, clean and portable water ,agriculture, (by) way of the Nutritional Value chain and the education spectrum.
She said further that Masari’s administration is “committed to a joint preventive and Strategic Approach to reducing the overall percentage of our children suffering from malnutrition through immediate intervention for acute severe cases and sustainable long term solutions.”
Equally the coordinator affirmed that “Katsina State is tirelessly working with UNICEF to provide increased access to water and sanitation and expand health coverageunder the accented PHCUOR Bill(Public Health Care Unde One Roof, and increased enrolment of our children into primary schools.
According to the coordinator, the objectives of the sensitization include: to “provide information on nutrition of children and develop sustainable solutions that address the immediate needs of affected children as well as medium to long term solutions that empower the mother to better provide for their children.
“To enlighten the top policy makers and members of the legislature on the implications of poor nutritional indicators to the child and overall state development and the key role that mothers play in child nutrition.
Mustapha Inuwa, rep Katsina Gov, commits to ensuring adequate budgetary allocation to tackle #malnutrition @ stakeholders’ meeting, Katsina pic.twitter.com/iQb7bA9tE7
— UNICEF Nigeria (@UNICEF_Nigeria) August 9, 2017
” To sensitize the top policy makers on the impact of infant and Young Child Feeding in preventing child Malnutrition as well as sustainable measures to safeguard short term and long term development.
And “To solicit support of the policy makers for joint programmes and activities provision in their in their support ,as a team effort to improve the welfare of our children and their mothers.”
Fatima Yusuf, SA to Gov of Katsina, encourages mothers to give their malnourished children therapeutic food provided w/ support from @UNICEF pic.twitter.com/HUkYbRbOsX
— UNICEF Nigeria (@UNICEF_Nigeria) August 10, 2017
Participants included Commissioners, Special Advisers and high ranking officials from Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Girl Child and Welfare, Water Resources, Women Affairs, Members of Katsina Emirate, State Assembly Committee Chairman for Health and Agriculture, Civil Society and Development Partners UNICEF and Save the Children.
Fatima said the programme was intended “to bring together a very strong collaborative force to work together as a team and derive solutions for this paramount issue of Malnutrition; and Infant and Young Child Feeding.”
