Stakeholders at a Nutrition International meeting in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government have reached a consensus to step up activities on community mobilisation and advocacy to relevant policymakers.
These are part of the decisions on the next steps at a one-day Vitamin A Supplementation Post Event Coverage Survey (PECS) dissemination meeting held in Sokoto.
The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Larai Aliyu Tambuwal, represented by Dr. Tukur Magaji, acknowledged all stakeholders present in implementing child health programs in her opening remarks.
The meeting, according to her, is about collaboration to make a significant impact in the lives of children, especially to improve the coverage of vitamin A supplementation and reduce vitamin A deficiency in children under five.
Nutrition International’s State Coordinator, Oyedeji Ayobami, emphasised the achievements and effective strategies in the collaboration between Nutrition International and the Sokoto State Government.
Oyedeji said, “Identifying what works better in Nutrition International collaboration with Sokoto State Government gives us access to coverage, identifies service gaps in the state, and highlights the barriers in our implementation processes.”
Nutrition International’s Programme Officer for Child Health & Nutrition/VAS, Junaidu Sani, elaborated extensively on the key findings of the Vitamin A Supplementation Post Event Coverage Survey (PECS) in Sokoto State.
He stressed the need for the state to release more funds to ensure all eligible children are reached with Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) and all MNCH services in the state.
He added that “NI will continue to partner with stakeholders to ensure all eligible children are reached with Vitamin A Supplementation to reduce morbidity and mortality of children under five.”
There were also presentations on PECS methodology findings, the Sokoto Nutrition Situation report, MNCHW review, and goodwill messages from UNICEF, academia, and other stakeholders at the meeting.
Deliberations and discussion sessions were moderated by Dr. Nasir Umar, Sokoto State Nutrition Officer (SPHCDA).
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