World Bank empowers Agency with N1.9bn for treatment of malnourished children in Kaduna State.

By: Idris Umar Momoh

The authorities of Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRIN) project implementing  and the Kaduna State Project Implementing Unit (PIU) says it has secured 2.7 million dollars (about N1.9bn) for the treatment of malnourished children in Kaduna State.

Hajia Mairo Tahir, the Communications Officer, ANRIN made the disclosure when the

Society for Family Health (SFH), Kaduna State, and Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRIN) project implementing partner paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Bamalli, on Wednesday in Zaria.

Hajia Mairo who said the fund was used for the purchase of Ready to use Thereauphatic Food (RUTF) added that the food had provided significant improvement in the life of the children affected by malnutrition in the state.

She said the project’s objectives were aimed at increasing quality and cost effective nutrition services for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls and children under five years in the state.

She also added that the project was also aimed at reducing chronic malnutrition and maternal mortality rate which was also high in the state and the project has recorded tremendous success in reversing the ugly indices since its commencement.

"The World Bank supported ANRIN Project and the Kaduna state Project Implementing Unit (PIU) has secured 2.7 million dollars (about N1.9bn) for treatment of malnourished children in the state", she said

The Communications Officer, therefore, appealed to the emir to assist in tracking implementation of the supply of commodities in the emirate.

In his address, Mr Murtala Ibrahim, Project Coordinator, Society for Family Health (SFH), Kaduna State, and Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRIN) project implementing partner said the World Bank has provided vitamin supplement to over 240,000 children between the ages of five years and below in the State.

Ibrahim,who also disclosed that the bank de-wormed over 200,000 children in the state, added that the  Bank supported no fewer than 1,097,048 women and children with nutrition and adolescent health packages in the State.

He said the intervention was recorded during the first year of implementing the bank’s Accelerating Nutrition Result in Nigeria (ANRIN).

While adding that  in May 2021, the emir graciously granted  ANRIN request to lead the advocacy, he  noted  that the visit was to update the  traditional ruler the achievements of the project  as its ambassador.

According to him, the project provided ORS and Zinc to prevent diarrhoea among children and over 100,000 households were reached with such services.

"In addition over 86,000 infants received micronutrients powder to prevent malnutrition.

"SFH provides counseling on exclusive breastfeeding to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to enable them support their babies, 150,000 women were reached in that category.

“Iron, folic acid and Malaria prevention drugs were also provided to over 80,000 pregnant women for healthy pregnancy, also 40,000 women were reached with child spacing commodities to enable them offer good care for their babies.

"In all, over 1,097,048 women and children were reached in the first year of the implementation of the programme; this also shows that the project had reached 115 per cent of its target,’’ he added.

He further explained that  SFH was implementing the ANRIN project on behalf of Kaduna state because of its expertise and SFH has achieved good results on the implementation.

The project coordinator said in the first year of the project implementation, it provided nine different interventions to women and children around nutrition and adolescent health.

Ibrahim said the project attributed its success to the immense support from the emirate council and urged the royal father to sustain the advocacy of more adolescents to be in school.

He also appealed to the emir for more support in the area of funding to scale up the nutrition and adolescent health component of the project.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, in his response, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Bamalli, commended the programme for the outstanding performance and encouraged people coming with new projects meant for the community to pass through the emirate council for optimal results.

The traditional ruler, however,  reiterated the commitment of the emirate council to sustain the support for the project.