Bauchi remains one of the states in Nigeria with high burden of malnutrition – Bauchi Assembly

By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi 

The Bauchi State House of Assembly and Ministry for Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination on Thursday said that the state remains one of the states in Nigeria with a higher burden of malnutrition.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that there is an increase in stunting among children under five years old, which raises significant concern.

This was contained in a Communique signed by all members of the house, immediately after their two day meeting on Adequate Budgetary Allocation & Release for Nutrition and other PHC Services, held at Elim Suit Hotel, Jos, Plateau State. 

The two day meeting was organized by the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget and Planning, in collaboration with UNICEF and partners to discuss the adequate budgetary allocation and release for nutrition and other PHC.

The Communique read “Bauchi remains one of the states with a high burden of malnutrition, with an increasing of stunting among children under five years old, which raises significant concern”

“The meeting acknowledged the following key issues: Cases of malnutrition, especially among children, are on the rise despite various government initiatives.

“There is a pressing need to increase budgetary allocations for nutrition programming within the state. While the government has made commendable efforts in expanding the health workforce, more personnel are needed, particularly in nutrition programming”

“Public awareness regarding nutrition remains low and needs to be significantly improved. Water sanitation concerns, such as the need to upgrade open wells by providing covers and raising their surfaces, require urgent attention”

“The need for a dedicated Department of Nutrition Services within the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) to ensure better coordination of nutrition-related efforts.

“Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions should be tracked to ensure that allocated budgets are released timely and efficiently utilized”

Urging that members across constituencies with malnourished children should facilitate the production and distribution of Tom Brown Diet to help combat malnutrition.

They agreed that the House Committee on Food Security and Nutrition, and the House Committee on Public Accounts with immediate effect to commence investigation on RUTF funds meant for the malnourished children in the state according to the state budget performance report of 2024, and report to the House.

The House Committee on Food Security & Nutrition, House Committee on Health and House Committee on Appropriation to work with relevant House Committees on the creation of a budget line for Nutrition activities across relevant MDAs and also increase the budgetary provision for Nutrition activities general in the state.

“The House Committee on Public Service should liaise with development partners to ensure necessary legislation on the extension of paid maternity leave from three to six months with a view to giving their nursing mothers adequate time to exclusively breastfeed their children.

“The House Committee on Local Government Affairs to liaise with the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs for the establishment of a joint committee of representatives of the House and the Chairmen of Local Government Councils where regular monitoring, supervision, and discussions with a view to mobilize additional, adequate and effective funding of nutrition activities in the state”

“That the Committee on Local Government Affairs to ensure the creation of nutrition budget line across 20 LGAs of the state, Food security & Nutrition and Health to liaise with the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs to follow up with Local Government Chairmen on procurement of functional hemoglobin testing machines across Primary Health Care facilities without functional hemoglobin machines.

They also recommended that the state government should contribute to the Child Nutrition Fund, which will be sourced from budget allocations, individuals and private sector contributions.

Also the Ministry of Health should work closely with the Ministry of Finance and Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination to ensure that nutrition allocations are ring-fenced and protected from budget cuts.

“Community-based initiatives, such as the production and distribution of locally made complementary foods, should be expanded to reach vulnerable households.Increased advocacy and sensitization efforts are needed to encourage household and community-level nutrition practices that promote child health and development” it stated.