A delegation from the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, national office visited Gombe State to advocate for crucial policy improvements in maternal and child health.
The delegation, led by Gombe State CS-SUNN Coordinator Mrs Comfort Mukollo, and Ambrose Eveheosor from the National Headquarters, engaged with key officials including Dr Shuiabu Abdulrahman, Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency; Asama’u Iganus, Commissioner of Women Affairs; Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo Ali, Permanent Secretary of Economic Planning and Special Adviser to Governor Inuwa on Development Partners Coordination Office Dr Ishaku Babayo
The visit centred on two primary recommendations: extending maternity leave from four to six months and increasing funding for nutrition programmes.
The delegation argued that extending maternity leave is essential for enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes, as evidence suggests that a longer leave period can significantly benefit both mothers and babies.
The team also highlighted the urgent need for increased investment in nutrition programmes to combat malnutrition among children and pregnant women. Proper nutrition is critical for child development and can prevent many health issues, making it a key area for policy focus.
In their separate responses Dr Abdulrahman, expressed strong support for the recommendations saying “Extending maternity leave aligns with our commitment to improving maternal health. We will work with relevant bodies to explore how best to implement this extension while ensuring it is sustainable.”
Iganus, highlighted the importance of the proposed changes, “Increasing maternity leave and nutrition funding are vital steps towards better health for women and children. We will push for these issues to be prioritised in our policy discussions and budget planning,” she said.
Ali, acknowledged the financial implications of the proposed funding increase but indicated a willingness to find feasible solutions adding, “While we need to carefully consider the financial impact, we recognise the importance of nutrition in public health. We are open to discussing how we can integrate these recommendations into our budgetary framework.”
On his part, Babayo, also voiced support for the recommendations, “Addressing maternity leave and nutrition funding is critical for improving the overall health of our population. We are committed to working with CSSUNN and other partners to ensure these recommendations are thoroughly considered and implemented effectively,” he added.
