Health Stakeholders Call For Establishment Of Nutrition Departments In MDA’s

Stakeholders in the Health and Nutrition sector have called for the establishment of Nutrition Departments in all Ministries and agencies in the country.

At a media Roundtable on the Establishment of Nutrition Departments and its Impact on Nutrition Coordination in Abuja, the president, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Professor Wasiu Afolabi said that was to ensure cohesive policy implementation and improved resource allocation for nutrition interventions.

The President noted that a multi-sectoral approach with central coordination was necessary to address the complex nature of malnutrition in the country.

”It is important for each sector to implement programs according to its mandate and in line with the National Policy on Food and Nutrition and the Multi-sectoral Plan of Acton for its implementation.”

Also in a joint statement signed at the end of the meeting, by the Country Director, the Civil Society –Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Mr Sunday Okoronkwo, and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, President, Professor Wasiu Afolabi commended the Federal government of Nigeria’s response to addressing the challenges of Food and Nutrition insecurity in the country.

”The Federal Government has in the past, Endorsed the National Policy on Food and Nutrition in 2016 and the National Multi-sectoral Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) in 2021 and other numerous policies and guidelines.”

”Issued Directive on the establishment of Nutrition Departments within relevant ministries to ensure cohesive policy implementation and improved resource allocation for nutrition intervene.”

The statement urged the relevant authorities to mandate the National Council on Nutrition reinaugurated by the Vice President, Senator, Kashim Shettima (GCoN), to bring together relevant MDAs and subnational governments to urgently respond to the crisis with appropriate short- and long-term measures.

”Direct the National Council on Nutrition which is the highest decision-making body on Food and Nutrition in the country to properly address the challenges of Food and Nutrition in-security in the country as is obtainable in other Developing Countries like Nigeria where a lot of progress has been made in improving nutrition indices,” it added.

In a presentation, ”An Overview of Nutrition Department Establishment in Nigeria, a Professor Department of Biochemistry, University of Abuja, Professor Kola Anigo noted that sustainable and innovative financing was required to meet Nigeria’s nutrition targets and the Sustainable Development Goals.

”There have been challenges in getting funds appropriated for Nutrition activities in the federal or state governments’ allocation

He expressed disappointment over the inability to track budgeted resources, despite the available costed plans, even in MDAs with defined budgets.

” Budget tagging and tracking informs resource and spending gaps and helps make both funders and implementers accountable, it enhances the oversight and coordination of nutrition interventions,” he said.

”Reforms were needed for sustain funding and to ensure budget line on nutrition across line ministries, agencies, and departments. Professor Anigo added.

The Director, Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ladidi Bako Aiyegbusi said the government was committed to nutrition programs and plans.

Mrs Aiyegbusi therefore called on relevant stakeholders and development partners to support the government’s nutrition agenda.