Adamawa govt vows to combat child malnutrition, improve maternal healthcare 

.,..Launches 1st 1,000 Days Nutrition Initiative 

From Yagana Ali Yola.

The Adamawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling child malnutrition and improving maternal healthcare with the official launch of the First 1,000 Days of Life Nutrition Project.

The Nations News reports that the launch was a major intervention designed to give every child the best possible start in life.

The project, launched on Thursday at the Government House Conference Hall in Yola, brings together the Adamawa State Government, UNICEF, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other development partners in a coordinated effort to improve nutrition for pregnant women, infants and young children during the crucial period from conception to a child’s second birthday.

Speaking at the event, Adamawa State Deputy Governor and Chairperson of the State Task Force on Primary Health Care, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, represented by the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Edgar Amos, described the initiative as a landmark step in safeguarding the future of children across the state.

He said the first 1,000 days of life remain the most critical stage of human development, noting that proper nutrition during this period determines a child’s physical growth, brain development, learning ability and overall health throughout life.

According to him, despite ongoing efforts, malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with undernutrition contributing to nearly half of deaths among children under the age of five. 

He revealed that the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2023–2024) puts the prevalence of stunting in Adamawa State at 48.6 percent, a figure he described as alarming and one that demands urgent collective action.

“The launch of this project is another milestone in our shared determination to improve maternal and child nutrition. Investing in the first 1,000 days is one of the most effective ways of reducing child mortality, improving educational outcomes and building a healthier and more productive society,” he said.

He explained that the project, being implemented through the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency in partnership with UNICEF and funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, would strengthen nutrition services, improve infant and young child feeding practices, promote community engagement and enhance the capacity of the state’s healthcare system.

Amos noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative, the Health Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving the wellbeing of women and children across Adamawa State.

He commended UNICEF and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their continued partnership, describing their support as a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when governments and development partners work together for the common good.

He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government authorities, healthcare workers, civil society organisations and community members to embrace the programme and ensure its successful implementation.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health and Human Development, Muhammad Chidado Jada, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pharmacist Mathias Bubal, described the initiative as a timely intervention that would significantly strengthen the state’s fight against malnutrition.

He said improving nutrition during pregnancy and the early years of childhood is not only a health priority but also a strategic investment in Adamawa’s future, stressing that healthy children are more likely to perform better in school, become productive adults and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with development partners and stakeholders to ensure the project reaches vulnerable communities and delivers lasting impact.

Also speaking, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office representative, Huzhat Rafique, explained that the intervention is funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support UNICEF’s efforts in preventing child malnutrition, which she described as one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges.

She noted that between 40 and 50 percent of children in different parts of Nigeria suffer from malnutrition, making preventive interventions during the first 1,000 days of life essential.

According to her, the project focuses on ensuring healthy pregnancies, skilled birth attendance, immediate initiation of breastfeeding after delivery, complete immunisation, disease prevention, improved hygiene and sanitation, exclusive breastfeeding, and proper complementary feeding when children begin eating solid foods.