The Programme Officer, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN, Ambrose Evnoesor, disclosed that Benue may use ₦29,271,692 on treatment of malnourished children yearly, if the state failed to implement policies in Nutrition.
Mr Evnoesor stated this during the policymakers meeting on implementation of six months Maternity Leave with pay for women of reproductive age on Wednesday in Makurdi.
He said that lack of good nutrition remained a formidable cause of death, with stunting in particular, linked to adverse outcomes which resulted to poor development, performance and diminished productivity in adulthood.
He further said that the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey revealed that 21 per cent of children under-five in Benue were stunted, while 23 per cent were underweight and 13.6 per cent were wasted.
He expressed worry over lack of Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition, SPAN, to provide a multi-sectoral approach to tackling the problem of malnutrition among women and children.
He also commended the state government for improving on budgetary allocation on Nutrition activities.
He encouraged the government to also extend the paid maternity leave for nursing mothers from three to six months to enable them adequately take care of their children’s nutritional needs.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Dr Jerome Andohol, acknowledged the significance of the policy in promoting gender equality, supporting the mothers and ensuring the well-being of the children.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Moses Levah, Andohol stated that he was excited to explore ways in which the commission and CS-SUUN could work together to make the policy a success.
He further commended CS-SUNN, UNICEF and other partners for supporting the state government in recognizing the importance of the policy.
A Member of the Benue State House of Assembly and Chairman Standing Committee on Health, Thomas Dugeri, called for full implementation of budgetary allocations not only on nutrition but other sectors too.
According to him, the state assembly was ensuring and monitoring implementation of the budget for the overall good of the state.
He emphasized the need for the state to approve the policy document on nutrition because of its importance.
NAN
