UNICEF: CSOs urge Kano govt to access Child Nutrition Fund

Kano State Government has been called upon to key into the Child Nutrition Fund by UNICEF to double its investments in nutrition commodities like Multiple Micronutrient Supplements for pregnant mothers as a way of preventing anemia.

The call was made by the Civil Society scaling up Nutarian in Nigeria at a media engagement with Government Agencies and Community Development Associations.

Empirical evidence abounds that malnutrition is a persistent threat to the well-being of women of reproductive age who suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, thereby impacting maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria.

The Co-Chair for the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutarian in Nigeria, Aji Robinson, at a media engagement wants the Kano State Government to key into the Child Nutrition Fund to prevent and treat anemia among pregnant women.

Robinson said that getting the supplement into the antenatal schedules of the State’s Primary Health Centers will help in the scale up process.

Participants including women, government agencies and community-based associations shared their experiences and expectations.

It is hoped that with increased media awareness and government’s sincere commitment to training personnel for implementing the programme, anaemia would be prevented and pregnancy outcomes improved upon.