- Odibo Victory
Nutrition and Focal Persons in Plateau, on Thursday, have called for adequate funding as a means to tackle malnutrition in Plateau
The body identified inadequate funding as the major obstacle to the ongoing fight against malnutrition in the state.
Some of the focal persons spoke during a symposium on Wednesday organised by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the central zone of the state held in Pankshin.
The symposium is aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges affecting the ongoing fight against child and maternal malnutrition across the country.
Mrs Victoria Yohanna, the nutrition focal person for Bokkos LGA, stated that funding had been a major challenge to them but they were able to pull through and get the needed results.
“This year, the local government was able to assist us financially, together with our individual sacrifices we made remarkable achievements including becoming the second best performing LGA in the state” she said.
Mrs Rebecca Kudaru, the nutrition focal person for Pankshin LGA, decried non release of funds by the local administration for treatment of malnutrition.
According to her, lack of funds had affected efforts to reach out to malnourished children with the supplements and possible treatment.
“We have written several proposals to address the issue of malnutrition, particularly among children, but funds were not released,” she said.
Mr Istifanus Jarum, the nutrition focal person for Kanke LGA, said that funds were hardly released to convey the supplements and other consumables from Jos to the locality.
He said that the lack of adequate funding had prevented health personnel from performing their duties optimally.
“Recently, one of the directors used her personal funds to move the medication from Jos to the two facilities in Kanke.
“We can’t function well without adequate funding,” he said.
Mrs Caroline Dalyop, the nutrition focal person for Mangu LGA, called on the government at all levels to make funds available in order to tackle malnutrition in the state.
“Partners have been the ones supporting the programme with their resources, but immediately their intervention ended, sustainability has been a huge challenge because of poor funding.
“Government must urgently act if we really want to end malnutrition in our state,” she said.
On his part, Mr Ado Ishaya, the mutation officer of Kanam LGA, said that the medication for the local government was administered across the locality.
He, however, said that the feat was possible due to the support of the traditional rulers and community leaders.
Speaking, Mr Ephraim Usman, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, called on council chairmen to prioritise the fight against maternal and child malnutrition.
Represented by Mr Philip Haruna, Director Budget Planning and Statistics of the ministry, Usman promised to ensure that the issue of inadequate funding gets the desired government attention.
Also speaking , Mr John Dasar, the Deputy chairman of Pankshin LGA, advised that budgeted funds for malnutrition should be credited straight to the committees for easy accessibility.
“Our children are dying of malnutrition in the villages while the solution is lying right there in our facilities; this is unacceptable.
“When you give me responsibilities as chairman of this committee, give me also the resources to execute the assignment you entrusted me with”, he said.
Mr Jika Golit, the Ngolo Ngas and Chairman, Pankshin Traditional Council, also called on the government to be proactive towards ending maternal and child malnutrition