… As Alive & Thrive FHI360 closes the 3 -year Miycn project in Bauchi, Dona Hospital Team
The Bauchi state government has approved the release of the sum of N3 billion as counterpart funds for the acquisition of nutritional foods and nutrients to combat severe acute malnutrition in children under 5 years in the entire state.
The money will be made available to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which will add the same amount under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) project.
The dissemination was carried out by the State’s Health and Social Welfare Commissioner, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, at the Alive & Thrive FHI360 closing ceremony, 3 years accelerating the scale of maternal, child and nutritional children (Asmiycn), the project and dissemination of the essential medical lists of Bauchi and the MMS project in the MMS Bauchi
He stressed that the government is committed to supporting the improvement of quality, efficient and efficient services in the health sector to maintain a healthy society.
The commissioner added that the State has enjoyed the 3 years of support and service provided by Alive & Thrive FHI360 in terms of nutritional and dietary practices of women and children.
He expressed the confidence that the closure would not be the end of the association with the Alive & Thrive FHI360, since the State expects more projects from the organization.
The representative of the country of Alive and Thrive FHI360, Dr. Victor Ogbodo, praised the Bauchi State Government for accepting and supporting the project, saying: “As a release, at the close, another Isabout to open.”
Ogbodo, which was represented by the STA, maternal nutrition FHI360, Alive & Thrive, Dr. James Olayede, appreciated the reception, acceptance and collaboration with Alive & Thrive and then FHI360 for all the duration of the project that says: “This has been demonstrated by the unresalized support provided to the A&T team in the state.
“We were so integrated that, except that we tell people, our team looks like the employees of the state government.”
He explained that “Alive & Thrive FHI360 launched an accelerated MyCN project in 2022 to increase access to the need for high maternal, child and young children to mitigate malnutrition between women and children, which positively positively positive in nutritional nutrition in the country, which will improve the health of mothers and children.
“Although it welcomes you to this great meeting, it is important to keep in mind that progress to meet the nutritional objectives of Nigeria and Global has been slow and, in some cases, it has not been fulfilled at all.
“For example, at the national level, the NDHS 2023/2024 showed a change in EBF (29%), worsening the delay delay (from 37%to 402), wear (from 7%to 8%) and low weight (from 22%to 27%). Only 1 in 10 children received a minimum dietary diversity (MDD-12%).”
He also declared that the national assistance of ANC also fell to 43%of 67%, while the deliveries of the health centers increased to 43%. He, however, expressed happiness that in the 89 phc in 6 LGA where he worked, things had improved.
In his main speech, the Executive President of the Board of Primary Health of the State of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said that: “As we all know, maternal and child nutrition is a cornerstone of human capital development. When women are healthy and adequate during pregnancy, when babies are excluded for the first six months of life, and when children are adequately receive those who feed the babies. Babies, babies, babies, the first six months, and when children receive adequate food, babies, base, babies, babies, the first, the first six months, and how stronger and more productive society. “
On behalf of the government and the people of the state of Bauchi, it extended a sincere appreciation to Alive & Thrive-FHI36 and the CBOs that implemented the project with them, with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
He said: “We recognize and recommend the tireless contributions of our health workers, community volunteers, traditional and religious leaders, and in fact the mothers and families of Bauchi who hugged and practiced new ways to guarantee better nutrition and health for their children.
“The impact of this project has been remarkable and multidimensional. Allow me to highlight some of the key achievements: the promotion of optimal maternal nutrition: through MMS intervention, thousands of pregnant women in the state of Bauchi have had access to multiple micronutrient supplements, ensuring that mothers receive essential vitamins and minerals for healthy pregnancies for healthier pregnancies.
“This is a significant step to reduce maternal anemia, low birth weight and other complications related to pregnancy. Improves in the food practices of young children and children.
“The miycn component of the project has empowered mothers and caregivers with knowledge and confidence to practice exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, the timely introduction of complementary foods and continuous breastfeeding up to two years. These practices are proven to reduce malnutrition and infant mortality, and improve cognitive development.”
By strengthening the health system: Health workers at the PHC level were trained and equipped to provide quality advice on nutrition and to distribute MMS to pregnant women. These capabilities remain with our health system and will continue to serve our communities.
On the mobilization and property of the community: by involving the group of community resources and community organizations, the project managed to integrate nutritional messages into dialogues, sermons and community cultural practices.
This level of community property will help guarantee sustainability. The Durum Center of Excellence is another masterpiece with which we are happy, since A&T has shown that, in fact, Miycn practices can be integral and holistic in a PHC.
In addition, policy and defense gains: at the policy level, Alive & Thrive has worked with the Bauchi State Ministry of Health to strengthen nutritional policies and align them with global best practices.
The project has demonstrated the viability of climbing MMS throughout the state and integrating Miycn into routine services.
This project has taught us valuable lessons: that nutrition is not only a health problem, but also a problem of economic and social development; That behavior change requires both community education and commitment; And that innovation, such as the introduction of MMS, can transform the lives of mothers and children when combined with strong leadership and political will.
“However, we must be honest with ourselves. The challenges still remain. Malnutrition, delay in delay and anemia still prevail in our state. Food insecurity, poverty and cultural barriers continue to hinder progress. These challenges remind us that the trip must continue, even as this specific project comes to an end,” he added.
The EC recommended that Miycn and MMS interventions join our primary medical care system so that each mother and a child can benefit, even beyond the useful life of this project.
He said: “The closing of the Miycn and MMS project of Alive & Thrive in the state of Bauchi is not an end, but a call to action. We must carry out the impulse, maintain interventions and expand them.
“All children born in Bauchi deserve the best beginning of life. Each mother deserves support to nurture their baby. And each family deserves the opportunity to prosper. Alive & Proshive has shown us the way. Now it depends on us, as a state and as people, to maintain this legacy.”
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