By Muhammad Amaan
The UN children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for a sustainable national food and nutrition security policy in the country.
The fund’s Chief of Nutrition in Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, made the call during a two-day visit to Jigawa State.
Hajeebhoy said food and nutrition issues were affecting national development because they impact on healthy living.
She added that “a robust and sustainable food and nutrition policy would address quality growth of babies and ensure healthy lives.”
The UNICEF chief of nutrition expert stressed the need for inclusion of food and nutrition issues into National Health Insurance programme to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses and ensure sustainability.
She also urged the Jigawa Government to find alternative sources of funding its food and nutrition intervention programme.
She suggested partnering with the private sector, philanthropists, Zakkat Foundation and corporate organisations.
The UNICEF official met with the state’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kabir Ibrahim, and his Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Alhaji Muhammad Yushua.
Responding, Ibrahim said the state government allocated N1.5 billion for health insurance and N324 million for nutrition services.
According to him, the state government is also feeding patients and care givers free three times daily as a deliberate policy to revert the curve.
On his part, Yushua lauded UNICEF for the technical support given to the state over the years and solicited for more.
Hajeebhoy had earlier gone round the Tisa Masaki Centre, the Sakwaya Primary Healthcare Centre and General Hospital, Dutse, to assess the workability of the fund’s support to the state.
