Abuja: Alive and Thrive Nigeria recently reflected on the achievements of its four-year nutrition programme and called for renewed collaboration to sustain maternal and child nutrition across various states. The Country Representative of FHI 360, Dr. Victor Ogbodo, emphasized this need during the Dissemination Event of the Accelerating the Scale of Maternal, Infant, and Child Nutrition Project held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ogbodo explained that the meeting was organized to assess the project’s contributions to policy development, system strengthening, service delivery, and community empowerment. He highlighted the initiative’s role in supporting national efforts to enhance nutrition policies and coordination structures while expanding access to multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant women. The project has also built the capacity of frontline health workers and community-based organizations.
“We gather today at the national level to reflect on the project’s contributions to policy development, system strengthening, service delivery, and community empowerment,” Ogbodo stated. He emphasized the need to celebrate shared successes over the past four years, noting the project’s support in optimizing service delivery systems in primary healthcare settings and promoting best practices for breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
Ogbodo urged government entities, partners, donors, and civil society to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening systems, empowering communities, and scaling up proven nutrition interventions. Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, echoed these sentiments, praising the organization for its contributions to improving nutrition services across Nigeria.
Represented by Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Pate emphasized the importance of translating evidence into policy and programmatic actions that can be institutionalized within Nigeria’s health system. He acknowledged the challenges Nigerian families face, including mothers who wish to exclusively breastfeed but lack support, as well as overstretched health workers.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Mr. Chike Okafor, expressed commitment to enhancing collaboration with development partners and government agencies to improve maternal and child nutrition nationwide. He highlighted the committee’s ongoing efforts to strengthen nutrition governance at all government levels.
Dr. Uju Anwukah, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, noted significant improvements in maternal, infant, and child nutrition in seven states since 2022. Anwukah stressed the importance of collaboration and partnership to effectively tackle malnutrition challenges and achieve the collective goals for Nigeria.