From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria CS-SUNN with support from United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has Jigawa state government to reduce the Stunted rates in the through more investment in Nutrition.
The call was contained in the Communique signed by the chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Namadi and issued at the end of one day Breakfast meeting with key Stakeholders on the adoption of Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) and implementation of six months maternity leave in Jigawa state held on Tuesday at Tahir Guests Palace in Dutse.
“Stunting, associated with poor brain development and reduced productivity in adulthood, is a concern in Jigawa State, with 55.7% of children under five stunted, 41.9% underweight, and 13.2% wasted, according to the NDHS 2023”.
Despite the meeting recognised the State Government and the State House of Assembly for their investment in nutrition; as well as other stakeholders’ commitment to nutrition in the state, which resulted in the success recorded so far, but still call for urgent concerted effort to reduce the Stunted rates in the state.
The breakfast meeting focused on securing commitment from policymakers on implementation of 6 months maternity leave with pay for women of reproductive age Secure Commitment for the child nutrition fund in the state Secure commitment for adequate and prompt release of nutrition funds in the state.
The Meeting also recognised the importance of extended maternity leave. However, local context should also be considered, urging MDAs to establish creches or breastfeeding rooms while Government to establish Nutrition Trust Fund to streamline available funds and also source funds from philanthropists and private sector.
The Stakeholders should embarked on grassroots sensitization on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and other health promotion issues to dispel harmful myths and misconceptions as well as ensure prompt release of adequate funds for nutrition activities in the State.
The meeting then, advocated for the creation of Nutrition Desk Officers across the MDAs in the State, and ensure job security and supportive workplace for working mothers.
