From Hauwa'u Mohammed
Nutrition experts have called on the Federal Government to commit to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a UNICEF-backed initiative designed to enhance access to Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women across Nigeria.
During the closing session of a five-day strategic advocacy meeting on nutrition in Keffi, Nasarawa State, stakeholders emphasized the importance of the CNF as a crucial mechanism to combat malnutrition, particularly among expectant mothers.
Mrs. Lilian Okafor, Communications Officer at the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), highlighted the CNF's effectiveness in addressing Nigeria's malnutrition crisis. She urged the federal government to provide counterpart funding to ensure the widespread availability of MMS in public health facilities.
Similarly, Hajiya Asamau Mohammed, State Nutrition Officer for Niger State, praised the initiative's impact in states like hers, where the CNF has already improved the well-being of pregnant women.
She called on the federal government to support states yet to join the initiative, thereby scaling up the procurement of essential nutrition commodities.
Mrs. Rashidat Popoola, State Nutrition Officer of Osun State, echoed these sentiments, stating that the CNF's adoption would significantly enhance nutrition programs in her state, benefiting both pregnant women and young children.
Mrs. Orume Beatrice, Deputy Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, acknowledged the stakeholders' appeals and assured them that the federal government would consider their recommendations.
The meeting, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with CS-SUNN and other key nutrition partners, focused on developing a comprehensive national advocacy strategy to address Nigeria’s complex nutrition challenges.
The gathering also marked the government's recent approval of transitioning from Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) to MMS, a move anticipated to improve maternal and child health outcomes nationwide.
