NGO lauds Kaduna State for allocating over N1bn for nutrition intervention

Tue, Feb 18, 2020
By publisher
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Health

SAVE the Children International (SCI), an NGO, on Tuesday, commended the Kaduna State Government for allocating more than N1 billion for nutrition intervention in the 2020 budget.

The SCI Nutrition Advocacy Advisor, Malam Isah Ibrahim, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Ibrahim said that the state government and the Ministry for Local Governments allocated over N500 million each for nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions in their 2020 budgets.

He added that the allocations would cover curative interventions in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) sites, as well as promotion of appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices as preventive measures.

The advocacy official said that the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) also provided some funds for nutrition interventions.

He added that the Ministry of Education also made the allocation of N2 billion for school feeding and nutrition interventions.

Ibrahim explained that the allocation significantly helped in the implementation of the state’s Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (KDMSPAN).

He pointed out that N200 million had been allocated in the 2020 budget for the recruitment of 3,000 health workers, including nutritionists to boost access to quality healthcare and nutrition services.

According to him, the development followed a series of advocacy engagements by development partners, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media to push for additional budgetary allocation for nutrition intervention.

“We are very impressed with the level of progress being recorded in the nutrition sector, particularly the government’s response over-improved budgetary allocation for nutrition interventions in the state.

“Kaduna State has been a very good environment to work in considering the high level of transparency and access to relevant documents such as budget, policy, strategies and development plans. This is very commendable,” Ibrahim said.

He noted that SCI would work with the Planning and Budget Commission to ensure that all activities of nutrition partners and the line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) aligned with the KDMSPAN.

He appealed for timely release of allocated funds and urged CSOs and the media to ensure accountability so that no child would die of malnutrition in the state again.” (NAN)

– Feb. 18, 2020 @ 13:15 GMT |

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