Kaduna Pledges Cash Backing For Nutrition Intervention

The Kaduna State Ministry of Finance, on Friday, pledged to ensure speedy cash backing of approved funds for the implementation of nutrition interventions to address malnutrition in the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Murtala Dabo, made the commitment in Kaduna at a one-day Policy Dialogue on the State Nutrition Policy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue, organized by the Planning and Budget Commission, was supported by Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).

It has the theme, “Emerging Opportunities and Innovative Financing Options for Nutrition Interventions”.

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Dabo explained that the move was critical to addressing the scourge of malnutrition in the state. He pointed out that although there were competing demands from the state’s resources, addressing malnutrition was critical to the state's quest for human capital development.

“Currently, 90 percent of our allocation from the federation account goes to payment of workers salaries with not much left for capital projects.

“But considering the critical place of nutrition to the growth and development of our children, we will do all that we can to ensure that approved funds are made available to relevant agencies,” he said.

Dabo spoke during a panel discussion entitled, “Investment Options, Prospects and Challenges of Nutrition-Specific and Nutrition-Sensitive Intervention in Kaduna State”

The Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Thomas Gyang thanked the permanent secretary for the commitment, pointing out that cash backing of approved nutrition funds had been the greatest challenge.

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Gyang said that the government has made reasonable allocations for nutrition interventions across relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, adding that if cash-backed, would make a significant impact in addressing malnutrition.

Phoebe Yayi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that the ministry was making efforts to establish nutrition clubs in schools and resuscitate school farms to promote nutrition among students.

Yayi stressed the need for a strong partnership and coordination among relevant stakeholders to effectively address the scourge of malnutrition through a multi-sectoral approach.

Also speaking, Jessica Bartholomew, State Coordinator, also commended the finance ministry for pledging to ensure timely cash backing of nutrition funding.

According to her, the availability of funds will ensure the effective implementation of specific and sensitive nutrition interventions.

Earlier, Malam Sani Hassan of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said that efforts must be made to address the drivers of malnutrition.

Speaking during a panel discussion on “Nutrition Landscape and Development: The Kaduna State Experience”, Hassan said that the state’s effort was being supported by development partners.

“We must, therefore, utilize the political will of the government to change the malnutrition narrative in the state,” he said.

On her part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, said that the government was strengthening its response by investing in adequate Infant and Young Feeding practices.

“We are also doing the best we can to improve service delivery in our Community Management of Acute Malnutrition sites across the state,” she said.