CS-SUNN team advocates for more Nutrition Funds to reduce stunted rate in Jigawa
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The team of Civil Society for Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) appealed to Jigawa state government to increase the budget allocation and release on Nutrition in the state.
The call was made by the Chairman of the team Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafin-Gana when the team paid an advocacy visit to Permanent Secretaries budget and economic planing and Jigawa stat Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHDA).
The chairman explained that, despite Jigawa government allocated some amount for Nutrition as well as release of N250,000,000 counterpart to UNICEF for the procurement of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), but still the state remain among states with high rate of stunted children.
“We are advocating for state government to increase the funds for Nutrition to address issues related to malnutrition and stunting as Jigawa still remain among the list of states with high rate of stunted children in Nigeria”, Kafin-Gana said.
While responding to the team, the permanent secretary budget and economic planning Alhaji Aminu Adamu Ringim said, already state government embarked on various activities to respond to this challenges.
According to him, government designed a policy for food and Nutrition and also developed a multi sectoral plan as Nutrition issues affected so many sectors.
He identified the sectors as Health, Agricultural sector, water and sanitation sectors with coordination unit that comprised both steering and technical working group for the implementation of the plan and policies on Nutrition.
While responding to the CS-SUNN team request, the permanent secretary Jigawa state Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHDA) Dr Kabir Ibrahim said, the challenges of high stunted rate in the state is related to population growth, deeply rooted traditional believes of the people among many other factors.
Dr Kabir Ibrahim who was represented by the Director (JPHCDA) Dr Shehu Sambo categorized the challenges as economic, social and cultural challenges that need to be addressed.
He therefore called for collaboration efforts from both CSOs, media, partners and government to embark on massive enlightenment campaign for attitudinal changes of people particularly from rural areas in the state.
