The Bauchi State Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (BSMSPAN) 2024-2028 has officially been launched with the goal of addressing food insecurity and promoting nutrition among children under five and women.
This initiative, supported by the Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE), represents a strategic approach to combat malnutrition and enhance food security for a healthier society.
During the launch at the Deputy Governor’s Office on Wednesday, Mohammed Jatau emphasized that Bauchi State is committed to implementing the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition to advance progress in the state.
The Deputy Governor, who serves as the chairman of the State Nutrition Council (SNC), noted that the current administration, led by Governor Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has taken significant steps to accelerate the reduction of hunger and malnutrition in the state.
According to him, “Having realized that malnutrition and hunger cannot be eliminated through efforts of one sector, the state government has began the development of nutrition-sensitive interventions in the agriculture, health, social protection, early child development, education, and water and sanitation sectors, in order to achieve the Zero Hunger Challenge (ZHC) including zero stunting among children under the age of five years.”
“In order to address malnutrition and hunger, the State Government has made adequate budgetary provision in the annual budget for nutrition programmes such as Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) among others.”
“It is for this reason that the State Government has taken the bold step to produce a holistic costed State strategic plan of action for Nutrition in a process where all relevant sectors at all levels were involved.”
“Nine priority areas have been identified that are considered key to improving Nutritional status in the State,” he added.
“In particular, the plan also identifies the need for strengthened collaboration between sectors and improved financing and accountability mechanisms to achieve the ambitious targets.”
“This costed plan will also serve as a resource mobilization tool for the State and subsequently an allocation guide for effective implementation as well as proper program monitoring and evaluation,” he added.
According to him, “The successful implementation of this strategic plan of action will therefore depend on the sustained commitment of the different levels of government, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders.”
“Bauchi State has made significant investments towards improving the nutritional outcomes of its children.”
On her part, the Commissioner of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Amina Katagum, said that the action plan was developed with the support of development partners to tackle malnutrition in the state
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Jibrin Yusuf, assured that the BSMSPAN which involves all relevant agencies and donors will go a long way in the implementation of the plans of government to end malnutrition among Children U-5 in the state.
International agencies including UNICEF, MSF, Alive and Thrive fhi360 and others commended the initiative and pledged to support its full implementation over the period stressing variously that the main focus is to ensure that no child dies of lack of nutrients and nutritional foods that can be sourced and produced locally.
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