Pulse.ng : Scaling Up Nutrition Intervention: FG, ANRiN Project Trains 510 Healthcare Workers on MIYCN Best Practices In Kaduna

Report by Sani Idris-Abdulrahman

The Federal Ministry of Health with support of the World Bank-funded Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, has the trained no fewer than 510 primary health care (PHC) workers on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

This, cames after the training of 120 healthcare workers drawn from secondary level health facilities (General Hospitals) on MIYCN two weeks ago.

Adequate nutrition from conception, pregnancy, infancy and early childhood is fundamental to the realization of a child's full health potential and productivity and vital to sustainable development across all life cycles.

MIYCN practice is a key facilitator of human survival, hence the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods at six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond is recommended.

The health and nutrition status of women and children are intimately linked. improving the health of children requires adequate nutrition for women throughout all stages of life.

The first two years of life (known as the first 1,000 days) provides a critical window of opportunity for ensuring appropriate development through optimal feeding.

Evidence has shown that inappropriate feeding of infants and young children is the main cause of malnutrition in the age group.

In her address, Dr. Zainab Muhammad-Idris, the Project Coordinator of ANRiN Project in Kaduna, said the facilitators’ wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience in the field is invaluable.

"We are grateful for the commitment to empowering participants with the skills and insights necessary to promote optimal nutrition in our health facilities and communities.

"Over the next week, you will all play a pivotal role in guiding discussions, sharing best practices, fostering an engaging learning environment, and generally supporting the delivery of the training.

"As we come together to enhance our collective understanding of MIYCN, we encourage you to share your expertise openly, inspire collaboration, and spark meaningful dialogue among participants, while also ensuring a conducive atmosphere for learning to take place.

"Together, we can make a lasting impact and improve health outcomes for mothers and young children alike in Kaduna State and the country at large,"she said.

Newsmen reports that participants of the training were drawn from all the PHC facilities across the 23 LGAs of Kaduna state while facilitators, administrative, and ICT support staff were drawn from public and private stakeholders in nutrition.

The Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of Health, Human Services and Social Development, Planning and Budget Commission, Federal Ministry of Health representatives, as well as other partner organizations were present in supervising and monitoring the conduct and delivery of the entire training.