The Kaduna State Government on Thursday began the development of 2021 Nutrition Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
Malam Salisu Lawal, the Director, Development Aid Coordination (DAC), Planning and Budget Commission, said at the opening of a two-day workshop in Zaria that the move was to strengthen the fight against malnutrition.
Lawal said that the development of the AOP, supported by UNICEF and Save the Children International, would operationalise the state Multisectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (KDMSPAN), 2020 – 2024.
Represented by the Deputy Director, DAC, Mrs Priscila Dariya, the director said that the state government was working toward ensuring a multi-sectoral approach to addressing nutrition through the KDMSPAN.
“One of the strategies employed by the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) in the implementation of the KDMSPAN was the development of AOP by nutrition-line MDAs.
“This will serve as a guide and road map towards achieving the overall goal of the KDMSPAN,” he said.
He explained that the objectives of the workshop was to review the progress and challenges recorded in 2020 with a view to plan and develop effective strategy for 2021.
Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, the Programme Manager, Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria, commended the state government for the attention given to nutrition intervention.
Muhammad-Idris noted the need for nutrition to be placed at the centre of discussion and make necessary investment to address malnutrition in the state.
According to her, adequate Infant and Young Child Feeding practices is key to preventing children from becoming malnourished.
Also, Dr Zakari Adam, the Chief of Field Officer, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, stressed the importance of an annual operational plan to address the scourge of malnutrition in the state.
Adam, who was represented by Mrs Chinwe Ezeife, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna, said that the review of progresses and challenges experienced in 2020 would enable a better plan for 2021.
He pointed out that the state was still grappling with poor nutrition indices, noting the need to look for different approaches to achieve desired results.
