The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through the Progressing Action on Resilient Systems for Nutrition Through Innovation and Partnership (PARSNIP) had supported 106,248 malnourish children in Gombe state.
The project a collaboration between the UNICEF and the Gombe state government is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
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Our correspondent reports that the project focuses on children aged 6–23 months, providing Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) and training mothers on proper infant and young child feeding.
In Gombe state, more than 106,248 children have so far received nutrient supplements, while 20,347 caregivers have been trained to detect early signs of malnutrition using MUAC tapes and adopt better feeding habits at home.
During a visit to pilot LGAs of Kwami and Kaltungo, journalists interacted with beneficiaries of the project, which aimed at preventing malnutrition among under-five children.
Some beneficiaries of the PARSNIP project in Malam-Sidi community of Kwami LGA, said the intervention had saved their children from malnutrition.
A mother of two, Malama Hussaina Bappayo, said the SQ-SNL is a “wonder supplement” that every child should receive to support healthy growth.
She told newsmen that child’s health had improved since she began using the supplement, few months ago.
Another mother, Malama Asmau Tella, said her was always suffering from recurrent diarrhoea before she introduced the SQ-LNS into her meals.
She stated that the frequent illness and the diarrhoea stopped when she started giving her daughter the supplement.
She stated that as a result of its efficacy, several mothers in the community began to rush to the Kwami Primary Healthcare Centre, to get the supplement for their children.
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Malama Tella added that they had saved significant amounts previously spent on medications for recurrent childhood illnesses.
She, however, appealed to the state government, UNICEF and other partners to replenish the supply at their health centre, noting that “demand is now very high and we are currently out of stock.”
Shedding light, a Nutrition Specialist with UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Ms Philomena Irene, said the project builds government-led nutrition systems, promotes multi-sectoral collaboration across health, WASH and agriculture.
According to her, “it supported innovative, resilient approaches that ensure nutrition services continue effectively even during shocks.”
She stated no fewer than 20,347 caregivers had been counselled and trained under the PARSNIP project, on proper Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices.
Ms Irene added that the training was designed to strengthen caregivers’ ability to monitor children’s growth, detect malnutrition early and adopt optimal feeding practices to improve child nutrition and health outcomes.
She said the PARSNIP project seeks to enhance early detection and referral of malnutrition through routine screening, and strengthen treatment services at community and facility levels.
Speaking on the project, the State Nutrition Officer, Muhammad H. Bawa, described the project as a huge success, saying a large of number of children had their health improved and strengthened with essential nutrients.
He explained that the programme also introduces Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) rich in Vitamin A which are planted, processed and added to meals to improve child growth.
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Bawa added that the partnership between the state government and UNICEF have contributed significantly to addressing malnutrition in many communities, as well as reduced morbidity and mortality rates among children.
According to him, the project currently being implemented in three LGAs of Dukku, Kwami and Kaltungo, would be soon scale it up to more LGAs, “as part of the state’s sustainability strategy.”
