From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Executive Secretary of Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Bello Jamoh, has called on frontline health workers to intensify efforts to promote Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) at the grassroots level.
This appeal was made during a six-day training session for frontline health workers on MIYCN and optimal breastfeeding, organized by the Primary Health Care Board and supported by UNICEF in Zaria from 19th to 24th January 2026.
Dr. Bello Jamoh expressed gratitude to UNICEF for supporting the training sessions for health workers, equipping them with the necessary skills to tackle malnutrition and improve health outcomes in the state.
He emphasized that the state’s government, led by Governor Uba Sani, has made significant investments in the health sector, including upgrading primary health care centers, distributing modern medical equipment, and recruiting additional personnel.
He urged health workers to redouble their commitment to efficient service delivery, upholding professionalism and empathy in their duties.
Similarly, the Kaduna State Nutrition Officer, Ramatu Musa Haruna, said the
MIYCN training aims to address the pressing health and nutrition needs of communities by promoting dietary diversity, exclusive breastfeeding, and proper hygiene practices.
She also disclosed that UNICEF has been instrumental in supporting these efforts, providing critical health services, including malnutrition screening, immunization, and birth registration.
The SNO stressed that the state has made notable progress in improving maternal and child health, with initiatives such as establishing nutrition corners in primary health centers and adopting Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition.
These efforts, according to her, have contributed to reduced malnutrition rates and improved health outcomes for children under five.
She stressed the need for sustained partnerships with development agencies, traditional institutions, and community-based organizations to overcome these obstacles to malnutrition.
In her remarks, Mrs. Chinwe Joy Ezeife, the Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF’s Kaduna Field Office, emphasized the importance of continuous training for frontline health workers on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) and breastfeeding.
She highlighted the critical role frontline health workers play in promoting optimal nutrition practices among mothers and caregivers.
According to Mrs. Ezeife, good nutrition is the foundation of child survival, health, and development. She stressed that well-nourished children grow, learn, participate, and contribute to the development of their communities, becoming resilient in the face of diseases, disasters, and global crises.
Mrs. Ezeife emphasized that optimal breastfeeding practices and adequate complementary feeding can prevent malnutrition among children, giving them a good start in life.
UNICEF has been supporting Kaduna State in its efforts to combat malnutrition, and Mrs. Ezeife reiterated the organization’s commitment to continued support.
She highlighted the importance of promoting dietary diversity, exclusive breastfeeding, and proper hygiene practices to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
The training session aimed to equip frontline health workers with the necessary skills to promote MIYCN and breastfeeding practices, addressing the pressing health and nutrition needs of underserved communities in Kaduna State.
It would be recalled that the Kaduna State government has made notable progress in improving maternal and child health, with initiatives such as establishing nutrition corners in primary health centers and adopting Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition.
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