From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
A non-governmental organization, FHI360, working to accelerate Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) interventions in Nigeria, has called on the Sokoto State Government to continue supporting nutrition initiatives for maternal health development.
The state coordinator, Victor Osatogbe, explained that the project’s leadership developed a sustainable plan with A&T, implementing joint bi-weekly and monthly supervision.
FHI 360 works to improve nutrition globally, addressing nutrition challenges through research, innovation, and advocacy.
Their efforts focus on maternal, newborn, and child health, recognizing the interconnected factors that enable a robust continuum of care.
Under the project, a joint bi-weekly and monthly supportive supervision with Local Government Area M&E has proven effective for -on-the-spot coaching and mentoring of Frontline workers.
He noted that stakeholders to deliver MIYCN services enhanced six intervention local government areas of Wamakko, Rabah, Wurno, Bodinga, and Dange respectively.
This is in addition to the use of tailored interpersonal communication checklists, which can potentially lead to increased commitment of health workers to MIYCN services delivery.
Also, the project covers 181 primary health centres and 361 PHC Frontline workers trained in MIYCN, among others.
To achieve more success, A&T will support the government with Android phones configured with the DHIS2 mobile app.
Osatogbe also commended the Sokoto government for the support and implementation it had rendered to make the activities possible saying they would continue to sustain the cordial relationship enjoyed so far.
He enumerated some achievements recorded by MIYCN, which include the MIYCN services mainstreamed into ANC, and PNC immunization centres in the state.
He said at least two Frontline healthcare providers trained on MIYCN across the supported PHC.
The services supported include dietary counselling in pregnancy, including challenges in pregnancies, weight gain management pregnancies, growth monitoring and promotion for children.
MIYCN policies and regulations are operationalized at the state level.
Commissioner for Health Hajiya Balarabe praised the project for imparting nutrition knowledge among mothers and children, emphasizing the importance of sustained efforts.
She said the Project Closeout is supposed to be mourned, not celebrated, for the importance it contained therein.
“With the knowledge gained, the Sokoto state indices are reduced in terms of malnutrition, adding that even before the prevalence of FHI360 in the state, the government has, through the healthcare delivery agency, earmarked millions of naira on health development in the state.
State Treasurer for CS-SUNN Hauwa Yarima assured that nutrition activities will continue despite the project’s closure.
Representatives from UNICEF, NAFDAC, and the Primary Health Care Board commended the project’s impact, particularly in rural areas where nutrition knowledge is limited.
They said it was very educative that both urban and rural populace would benefit from.
The event concluded with the presentation of a gift to the state coordinator of FHI360 A&T project by the representative of the state commissioner of health.
