Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state has pledged to ratify the state’s multi-sectoral strategic plan of action on nutrition aimed at curbing stunting and malnutrition in the state.
This is in line with the adoption of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition and Domestication of the National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition by his administration.
Ugwuanyi made the pledge on Thursday during a joint advocacy visit by the UNICEF Enugu state field office led by the Chief Field Officer, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe and the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) led by the state commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Ugwunta.
The governor, who was delighted at the concerted efforts of the joint committee, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the fight against malnutrition in Enugu State.
This, he said, could be achieved by continuously supporting nutrition interventions particularly through the FCDO/UNICEF Progressing Action for Resilient Systems for Nutrition through Innovation and Partnership (PARSNIP) programme in the state.
The PARSNIP, a grant matching-fund programme, is aligned with UNICEF’s commitments to the prevention, early detection and treatment of Child wasting while promoting government’s leadership in the programme.
The joint advocacy visit to Ugwuanyi heralded the first coordination meeting of partners and stakeholders on nutrition and PARSNIP, which took place at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, on the theme: “Prioritising Investment in Maternal, Infant, Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition – A key to sustainable development in Enugu state”.
Noting that malnutrition is hampering the survival and development of children in the state and the nation, the governor stressed the significance of PARSNIP programme in curbing stunting and malnutrition in the state and beyond.
Speaking, the Chief Field Officer, UNICEF, Mrs. Chiluwe, commended Governor Ugwuanyi for the milestone achievements of his administration in the health sector, especially with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, disclosing that the essence of the visit was to discuss the need to improve nutrition for women and children.
Chiluwe stated that “keying into the first 1,000 days of a child’s life will reverse malnutrition in the state especially with respect to infant and young child feeding practices.”
