Full text: COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A 1-DAY STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING ON LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION PROGRAMMING IN GOMBE STATE HELD AT EMERALD ROYAL HILL HOTEL ON TUESDAY, May 18th, 2021.
Introduction:
Malnutrition continues to be an issue of public health concern in Nigeria owing to a myriad of factors. According to recent figures, there is an ongoing rise in the prevalence of malnutrition across the country. Gombe state, which is rated to be the second state with the highest burden of malnutrition in Nigeria. According to the NDHS 2018 report, the stunting rate of children under five is at 44.6% and 26.9% underweight. This stakeholders’ meeting was organized by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). The purpose is on LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION PROGRAMMING IN GOMBE STATE At this meeting, it is expected that stakeholders particularly Government, CSOs, CBOs, FBOs, Academia, Traditional and Religious Leaders, Traditional Birth Attendants, Media, Health workers, and the private partners working in the area of Nutrition in Gombe State can interact and come up with practical steps for improving the nutrition status of our society with emphasis on pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
The 1-Day Workshop which was organized with the support of the Pooled Fund Window II Project had the following objectives:
To increase advocacy and collaborations with stakeholders for improved food and nutrition security in Gombe state.
Identify ways and best practices to coordinate nutrition with increased buy-ins from stakeholders
After the workshop, participants agreed to:
Stakeholders commended Gombe State Government for the release of 25 million naira as counterpart for the provision of RUTF in the state.
Participants observed that the state has been out of stock of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
They also observed that malnutrition affects the mental and physical development of children. Thereby calling on both government and partners to invest in Nutrition for a better future for the state.
Participants also observed that Gombe state is living on a time bomb due to the influx of IDPs from crisis-ridden states, following overstretched resources. Hence, the call for all stakeholders to tackle insecurity.
Consequently, the meeting encouraged the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation to produce more complementary food and if possible make available the processing tools to some households.
It appealed to the government to release the balance of N50 million meant for the production of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to tackle the dearth.
Increase media engagement for proper/accurate dissemination of nutrition information.
Participants observed that malnutrition is not due to poverty, but the lack of proper dietary intake, hence encouraged the increase in sensitization of households on the use of local food to produce substitutes.
Stakeholders observed the need for increased access to antenatal and postnatal care and the improvement of clinics across the state which will, in turn, reduce malnutrition.
Stakeholders appealed to Government to revive the school feeding program across the 11 LGA’s of the state, to enable students to comprehend and reduce the rate of malnutrition.
Participants appealed to the Government at all levels to place a high priority on food production to reduce the rate of malnutrition in the state.
Participants encouraged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for the first 0-6 months of life despite the dissenting voices from the public.
Participants observed the need for all stakeholders to unite towards reducing the impact of malnutrition in the state.
Participants called for the sustainability of projects by Government and other stakeholders, long after the expiration of a project in the state.
The Association of unions has requested CS-SUNN to organize sensitization programs for its members so that the campaign would trickle to the grassroots.
Participants advocated for more stakeholders’ involvement in the nutrition budgeting process.
Participants advocated for increased budgetary allocation for nutrition in Gombe state.
Collaborate with development partners at both regional and sub-regional levels to support interventions that address the challenges of nutrition in Gombe state.
Promotion of adequate research for local substitutes to be instituted
The need to publicize research findings for advocacy using various mass and local media.
Scaling up of Nutrition education programs in state health/education institutions
Sensitization of pregnant women and their families on the importance of Ante-natal care (ANC) /Post-natal care (PNC) and dietary diversity
Communique Committee: Attached
Mr. Chima Azubuike
Mr. Hussaini Obeth Dangombe
Mrs. Rebecca Mua’zu
