The Bauchi State Government says it is planning to increase its contributions to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) from N300 million to N1 billion in 2026.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), disclosed this in a news conference on Wednesday in Bauchi.
Rafique said that the decision was part of the outcome a meeting with Gov Bala Mohammed on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Child Nutrition Fund is a basket fund managed by UNICEF on behalf of various donors and designed to boost investments in child nutrition and tackle malnutrition across the country.
She explained that behavioural change remained a critical strategy in addressing malnutrition, adding that interventions should ideally begin from pregnancy through a child’s first two years of life.
Rafique commended the communities in the state for taking ownership of health interventions especially Ganjuwa and Misau local government councils by providing bicycles to volunteers to reach uneasy-access communities.
”This will go a long way in addressing logistics challenges, as men are often the key decision-makers in households.
“The Fathers for Good Health, Mama2Mama groups, health promoters, and community volunteers are structured within the communities to promote health care delivery and fight against open defecation.
”UNICEF’s new leadership has encouraged the state government to adopt local approaches in the fight against malnutrition, particularly through the promotion of healthy eating habits and sustainable practices,” she said.
The UNICEF chief, however, urged the media to help in creating nutrition-focused contents that could reach grassroots communities and inspire lasting change.
She added that UNICEF was waiting for the release of the N300 million government matching funds to commence the procurement process.
Also speaking, Dr George Eki, UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, revealed that 1,660 men across 166 wards in 10 local government areas were enlisted as Fathers for Good Health in the state.
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