BSPHCDA, Alive And Thrive Sensitize Journalists On Uptake of MIYCN
Mr Chidi Asimobi, Bauchi State Focal Person of Alive and Thrive fhi360 making presentation during the orientation in Bauchi. Photo: Murtala Muhammad
By Murtala Muhammad
Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with Alive and Thrive, has conducted an orientation for journalists in the State on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN).
MIYCN is aimed at maximizing impact on child growth and micronutrient status, focusing on maternal nutrition, delivery
practices, and improved infant and young child feeding in Nigeria.
The participants were drown from broadcast, print and online media platforms aimed at sensitising them on how to promote MIYCN uptake.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition was key in improving both mother and child’s health.
Dr Mohammed who was represented by the Agency’s Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dahiru Mahmood called on husbands to provide their pregnant wives with nutritious food that would guarantee child’s health especially in the first 1,000 days of life.
The First 1,000 days of baby’s life starts from conception to the second birthday and in these days utmost care is given to mother and child’s nutrition for the baby to be a healthy adult which in the long run translate to their productivity.
The Executive Chairman said the collaboration between the Agency and Alive and Thrive in coming up with the initiative of sensitising the media was commendable, hoping that it would be sustained to achieve the desired results.
In a paper, the State Focal Person of the Bill & Melinda Gates funded Alive and Thrive fhi360, Mr Chidi Asimobi who said Nigeria loses about 2,313 children daily translating to 844,321 under-five children deaths annually, noted that close to half of which were due to malnutrition.
Mr Asimobi said each year, 295,000 women die globally due to pregnancy-related problems, and 2.5 million newborn children die within the first month of their life.
According to the paper Nigeria accounts for over 34% of global maternal deaths.
He charged the participants to use accurate data to tell stories that can ignite the uptake of MIYCN in the state.
