The National Council on Nutrition under the office of the Vice President has disclosed that insufficient funding and weak inter-sectoral coordination have slowed the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) progress.
The NMPFAN which was designed to address malnutrition comprehensively, aims to reduce the proportion of malnourished individuals by 50%, raise the exclusive breastfeeding rate to 65%, and lower stunting among children under five to 18% by 2025.
The Technical Advisor Communications to the Chair of the National Council on Nutrition, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Milliscent Nnwoka, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Media Roundtable on Strengthening the Implementation of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN) and Reinforcing the BMS Code in Nigeria.
Nwoka said, while malnutrition remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, the will to tackle it remains strong through the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Nnwoka, however, noted that the meeting was a crucial opportunity to discuss ways to boost nutrition funding and enforce the Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) Code which are both vital to improving children’s health outcomes.
She also disclosed that the government’s commitment to addressing this issue is reflected in several key initiatives, including the Nutrition 774 Project, a far-reaching effort designed to raise awareness and promote nutrition activities at the grassroots level.
“This project aims to engage communities across all 774 local government areas, empowering them to take ownership of their nutritional well-being, in partnership with states and relevant ministries,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Nutrition Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi also emphasized that effective nutrition interventions directly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Director who was represented by the Head of the Baby Friendly Desk, Bayode Adenike, also reiterated that improved nutrition enhances education, promotes gender equality, reduces poverty, and expands life opportunities.
“Investing in nutrition is indeed one of the most cost-effective drivers of development and prosperity,” she added.
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