Introduction of Maternal, infant, young children nutrition improves health in pregnancy, U-5 children in Bauchi

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By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi

The introduction of nutrition to maternal, infant and young children nutrition (MIYCN) in Bauchi State, nutritional health of women and children under 5 years has greatly improved. 

The assertion was made by the Ag State Nutrition Officer (SNO) in the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Abubakar Sabo Bara while speaking with Journalists at a workshop on nutrition in Azare, Bauchi state. 

According to him, “The implementation of MIYCN has really improved the nutrition status of pregnant women and children under 5 years greatly. Because if we can conduct the survey now, there will be great improvement from the 26 percent of exclusive breastfeeding recorded in the last 2 years.” 

Abubakar Sabo Bara disclosed that,”Based on the 2021 survey that was conducted, Bauchi State recorded 26.4 percent of women practicing exclusive breastfeeding while only 12 percent do practice early initiation, that is putting a baby on a breastfeeding immediately after delivery.” 

The Ag SNO explained that,”What we are doing as part of our responsibilities, is to follow up to ensure and coordinate all the nutrition activities in the state as well as ensure that each of the partners operating in Bauchi state in the area of nutrition implemented their intervention successfully.” 

He however stressed that,”With the coming of Alive and Thrive fhi360 supporting MIYCN in the area of social behavioural change communication, things are gradually changing positively in that direction.”

“Because, one of the major challenges is lack of effective communication. Recently, Alive and Thrive supported with the development of some IEC materials as well as for SBBC, these have improved issues of nutrition in pregnancy and child growth and development,” he added. 

Abubakar Sabo Bara added that,”With the intervention of Alive and Thrive, the target for exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation is 50 percent women practicing it by the year 2028 considering the fact that the initial target of 2025 cannot be achieved.” 

The Ag SNO said that, “Definitely, one cannot say that there are no challenges, but in nutrition, it is very minimal because we have a lot of interventions and opportunities like that of Alive and Thrive and other partners that are supporting nutrition activities in the state.” 

He said the main challenge which is general to all programmes is that of funding.