NIGER STATE CONVENES COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND NUTRITION RESIDENTIAL COORDINATION MEETING SUPPORTED BY CS-SUNN-PACFaH: By LilianAjah-mong
GROUP PICTURE OF PARTICIPANTS
The meeting which held on the 5th July 2017was organized by the Niger State Committee on Food and Nutrition and supported by Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) under the platform of the PACFaH project.
The primary objective of the meeting was to improve nutrition and reduce malnutrition through effective coordination of activities of all nutrition actors in Niger state. It was further aimed at discussing progress of implementation of Nutrition activities in the State, sharing views on some of the main implementation challenges and to proffer solutions to improving nutrition activities in the State including sustainability and an improved understanding on coordination of Nutrition activities in the State.
The State Nutrition Officer and Deputy Director Niger state Primary Health Care Development Agency Mrs. AminaIsah welcomed participants as the Permanent Secretary Niger State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Usman Musa Dalauexpressed optimism that at the end of the meeting, the committee will come up with functional strategies for better coordination of nutrition in the state. He re-emphasized the place of adequate nutrition in human development and encouraged all stakeholders to contribute meaningfully towards for a strengthened synergy and more effective coordination.
The Nutrition F0cal Persons from each LGA presented the nutrition activity progress report for each of their various areas. Generally, the issue of prevalence of malnutrition was mentioned by all the NFPs. The problematic areas from one LGA to the other differs, ranging from issues around wasting, stunting, severe acute malnutrition SAM in which cases referrals were made.
Gathering from all the facts presented, the NFPs have specifically applied campaigns for exclusive breastfeeding, growth monitoring, referral of SAM to secondary health facilities, IYCF training, support group formation, MUAC assessment, food demonstration and advocacy as main strategies used in tackling malnutrition and improving nutrition in their various LGAs.
On LGA specific nutrition budget, each of the NFPs presented the amount budgeted, the amount approved, indicating that there has been no releases so far.
The one day meeting resolved thus:
A Meeting date of all line MDAs to come-up with individual MDAs work plan
Submission of Communication Plan that will support Nutrition activities to SCFN
Advocacy /Courtesy visit to the Wife of the Niger State Governor.
For Research Institutions to come-up with alternative to Ready to use therapeutic food.
Inauguration of all LGAs Committee on Food and Nutrition
Submission of LGA Nutrition Plans to LGAs Budget Department
Submission of Local Government Work Plan
Participants at the meeting were drawn from the Niger state planning commission, the NSPHCDA/State Nutrition Office, nutrition focal persons, CSOs, Media, NSMWASD, MoA, NOA Niger, MoE, CS-SUNN Niger state coordinator and member of staff of CS-SUNN from Abuja.