By Ene Ohaba
The Benue State Primary Health Care Board BNSPHCB, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and UNICEF, has convened a state-level Training of Trainers on Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements, SQ-LNS and Micronutrient Powder, MNP.
The training, held at the Mnam Hotel Complex in Makurdi, Benue State, was aimed at addressing the pervasive issues of malnutrition and undernutrition, along with their detrimental effects on children under five years of age.
In her address, the Executive Secretary of the SPHCB, Mrs. Grace Ashiver-Wende lamented the high number of malnourished children in the country, approximately fifteen million children were grappling with stunting, while three million face the life-threatening consequences of wasting.
Mrs. Ashiver-Wende particularly expressed worry that despite being endowed with fertile land and recognized as the food basket of the nation, Benue State is not immune to the challenges, with a stunting rate of twenty one percent and a wasting rate of six point seven percent.
The Executive Secretary of SPHCB stated that through the partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and UNICEF, the state is intensifying high-impact interventions, ranging from the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding to enhancing nutritional practices for young children.
Mrs. Ashiver-Wende noted that with the introduction of SQ-LNS, every child in Benue State will receive the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for robust growth, optimal health, and cognitive development.
Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, reiterated that the Training of Trainers on SQ-LNS signified a critical milestone in enhancing the capacity of health workers and program implementers to deliver quality services, particularly for children in the first one thousand days of life.
Representative of the Director of the Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Princess Helen Mathew, said the capacity-building training reflects the commitment of the ministry to improving maternal, infant, and young child nutrition outcomes across the country.
Participants at the three-day Training of Trainers included were drawn from the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministry of Health, Hospital Management Board, Federal Medical Center, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Benue State College of Health and Technology Agasha, and Local Government Area Nutrition Focal Persons.
Edited By Terna Injua
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