A few weeks after the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) declared that Bauchi State has the highest burden of U-5 children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Nutrition Corners and gardens have been reintroduced in fifty Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in ten LGAs of the state.
The new initiative is aimed at addressing the growing issue of malnutrition in the state in line with efforts to reduce the burden.
The project, which is supported by the Catalysing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) and the Development Exchange Centre (DEC), with funding by the Netherlands Government, is starting across five local government areas of Bauchi, Dass, Jama’are, Ningi, and Toro.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative on Wednesday at the Miri PHC, CASCADE Project Manager, Ishaya Daniel, explained that the activation of the nutrition corners stems from a situational analysis conducted by the organisation.
According to him, “The analysis revealed that many rural women lack access to adequate nutrition education. The nutrition corners will specifically target pregnant women and lactating mothers who regularly visit PHCs, using Antenatal Care (ANC) sessions to educate them on household recipes that can boost their nutritional status and that of their families.”
He stressed that, “The nutrition corners aim to provide these women with practical, locally relevant knowledge on nutrition. Additionally, the facility gardens will complement the nutrition corners by offering basic agronomy skills, such as growing orange-fleshed potatoes and tropical vegetables, which can be applied in their homes.”
The project is expected to empower women of reproductive age with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve both their own health and that of their families.
While officially launching the initiative, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, acknowledged the state’s poor malnutrition indicators, as revealed by the NDHS 2023/2024 report.
He stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach to combat the issue, highlighting factors such as inflation, ignorance, and inadequate breastfeeding as contributors to the state’s malnutrition crisis.
According to him, “The activation of nutrition corners and the creation of facility gardens in selected PHCs is a vital step toward improving the nutritional status of our people.”
Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development, Zainab Baban Takko, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the health and well-being of women and children.
The Commissioner, who was represented by a senior officer of the Ministry, Habiba Adamu, emphasised that the nutrition corners will equip women with essential information on using locally available crops to prepare balanced diets.
She also encouraged the creation of small home gardens to further support nutritional improvements.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that the initiative is expected to make a significant impact on improving health outcomes for women and children in Bauchi State, providing both immediate and long-term benefits to local communities.
During the launching, breastfeeding mothers were taught how to prepare nutrient-laden local food for their children to make them grow healthy and look robust.
Some of the women commended the initiative, stating that they are ready to learn how to feed their children with nutritious food that is locally sourced.
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