REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO
The Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Nemat Hajeebhoy has
commended the Enugu State Government for it’s proactive approach and sustained commitment to addressing malnutrition in the state.
Ms Hajeebhoy gave the commendation at a ceremony marking the handover of SQ-LNS and RUTF, under the Child Nutrition Matchfund Project, to the Government and people of Enugu
Ms Hajeebhoy who represented the UNICEF Country Representative Wafaa Saeed, noted that the CNF Matchfund initiative was designed to support states in scaling up nutrition interventions and expressed confidence that the commodities would significantly reduce cases of acute malnutrition among children in Enugu State.
She urged the Enugu State Government to ensure robust tracking and accountability systems to monitor coverage and use of the nutrition commodities to prevent their diversion, misuse and fraud.
In a message on the occasion, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to tackle malnutrition and strengthen healthcare delivery systems in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai who formally took delivery of the nutritional commodities procured through the Child Nutrition Fund, CNF Matchfund mechanism, in partnership with UNICEF, onbehalf of the Governor, at the State Pharma Grade Warehouse GRA, Enugu, described the partnership with UNICEF as a strategic intervention aimed at safeguarding the health and future of children in Enugu State.
He noted that the CNF Matchfund mechanism has enabled the state to leverage additional resources for the procurement of life-saving nutritional commodities, including ready-to-use therapeutic foods and essential micronutrients.
Governor Mbah emphasized that the present administration places high priority on human capital development, stressing that proper nutrition is fundamental to the growth, cognitive development, and overall well-being of children.
He assured UNICEF that the commodities would be efficiently distributed to health facilities across the state to reach vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
During the event, stakeholders present, including state Exco members, council chairmen, traditional rulers and health workers, expressed optimism that the collaboration would yield positive outcomes in the state’s nutrition indices, and called for continued investment and community engagement to sustain the gains.
