participants
The UNICEF Chief nutrition specialist, Enugu Field Office, Ngozi Onuorah, has said that dietary diversity helps in enhancing the growth and development of a child.
Onuorah stated this at a one-day review, planning and scale-up meeting on the first 1000 days dietary diversity initiative in Enugu State, jointly organised by the state Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Alleviation, the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with UNICEF, with sponsorship by the US Government.
The chief nutritionist said that proper intake of diets, especially nutrients in the first 1000 days of a child boosts the child’s growth and development in his life.
She said that UNICEF had since last year commenced a programme on the eradication of malnutrition in Enugu State, owing to the high rate of malnutrition among children in the state.
According to her, 15 per cent of children in the state are malnourished and stunted, adding that one in every four children in the state is stunted.
She said that the meeting was designed for the stakeholders in the implementation process to review, plan and scale-up the progress made so far.
She said: “Currently, this year the United States Government has selected Enugu State as part of it’s programme against malnutrition.
“UNICEF is supporting the state to implement this programme by providing technical support including trainings, capacity buildings, even at LGA levels and organising town-hall meetings using the US grants.”
The nutritionist said the Enugu State government had also contributed by providing empowerment materials like motorised milling machines, farm implements, input and others.
She added that the Local Government Councils also played their different roles to ensure the succees of the programme in their domains.
Onuorah said the programme was being implemented in nine LGAs with the US government providing 50 per cent of the funding.
She commended different ministries, departments and agencies involved in the implementation for their commitments to the success of the programme.
Speaking, Prof. Bennedatte Okoli, the Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication said that the programme was very dear to the heart of Gov. Peter Mbah.
Okoli said that the theme of the meeting: “Combat Child Malnutrition and Enhance Healthy Growth,” reflected the long-term importance of investing in the nutrition and well-being of children during their earliest years.
“The first 1,000 days of life—from conception to a child’s second birthday—represent a critical period for ensuring proper growth, brain development and lifelong health.
“Adequate and diverse nutrition during this period can significantly improve a child’s chances of survival, healthy development and future productivity, ” she said.
The Chairman of Udenu LGA, Mr Akachukwu Eze, described the programme as important and timely.
He called for concerted effort by all the implementation partners to ensure that malnutrition in the state was eradicated completely.
He said that the LGA had keyed into the programe with the view to enhancing healthy of children in Udenu.
Also speaking, the vice chairman of Aninri LGA, Mary Oluchi, described the programme as worthwhile saying that their administration would surely implement the initiative to better the lives of the people.
“In Aninri whatever outline UNICEF brings up we will be ready to take it up from there, ” she said.
