The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, has paid an advocacy visit to the Gombe State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Ethical Orientation, Alhaji Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, to solicit support from the ministry in promoting nutrition education and awareness among the people of the state.
During the meeting, the CS-SUNN team led by its State Coordinator Mrs Comfort Mukollo, highlighted on the rates of malnutrition among children and women and stressed the need for increased funding for nutrition interventions in the state.
Specifically, She emphasised the importance of promoting locally available food options to improve nutrition outcomes, adoption of a diet rich in locally available foods such as sweet potatoes, beans, and millet, which are rich in essential nutrients and micronutrients.
The Coordinator also called for an extension of maternity leave from three to six months to enable nursing mothers to adequately care for their children and exclusively breastfeed them for at least six months.
Mukollo commended the present administration for investing in the treatment and prevention of malnutrition in Gombe saying it has sunk millions of naira for the purchase of ready to Use Therapeutic Food and even providing complementary food for preventive measures.
Responding, Tilde assured the team that the ministry is committed to supporting nutrition interventions in the state and pledged to work closely with CSSUNN to address the issue.
He said the state government is committed to ensuring the health being of the people, nutrition inclusive and the need for all hands to be on deck to address malnutrition.
He also commended CSSUNN for its efforts in promoting nutrition education and awareness among the people of Gombe State, adding that the ministry would provide necessary support to amplify these efforts.
The visit was concluded with commitments from both parties to work together to improve nutrition outcomes in Gombe State.
CSSUNN supported by UNICEF will continue to engage with stakeholders at all levels to advocate for policies and programmes that promote nutrition education, awareness, and interventions in Nigeria.
Among such programmes are to advocate for the extension of maternity leave from four months to six months and prompt release of funds for nutrition interventions .
