Esther Salifu
The Federal government has reteirated the need for adequate nutrition data to tackle malnutrition challenges in the country.
The Vice President Kashim Shettima who was represented by Special Adviser to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas Anwukah made the disclosure during the launching of the report of the 2021 National Food Consumption And MicroNutrient Survey Report Launch in Abuja.
Anwukah stated that the launch of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey is aimed at accessing the micronutrient status and dietary consumption pattern of key population groups in Nigeria.
She further added that lack of data was responsible for the lack of success in the area of nutrition.
“We have not recorded much success concerning nutrition in the past, due to lack of sufficient data to drive research and evidence- based policies.
With the launch of the report we are making much progress “, she added.
The Special Adviser noted that the Presidency is set to change the narrative in the nutrition sector.
“With the agenda set out by the Tinubu/Shettima administration coupled with the teamwork , among the ministers and all stakeholders , the narrative will change.
“Senator kashimu has made strong commitments to driving nutrition agenda through 5 high level pillars of decentralization coordination, profile raising, financing, scaling up nutrition interventions and of course data and accountability “ , she stated .
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Mohammad Ali Pate said there is a huge volume of under nutrition, over nutrition and also micro nutrient defficiency in the country.
“We are also undergoing nutritional transition , like how do we eat, what do we eat .
The body of work provides good evidence to inform policies , programme and implementation.We are moving away overtime from faith based polices and programs and implementation”, he said.
Pate futher reiterated the federal government’s commitment to implementing evidence based solutions to improve nutrition in Nigeria .
“We will be engaging with traditional and religious leaders in advocacy and demand creation for nutrition support and awareness,” he added.
The minister assured the people that funding would not be an issue from the Federal Government
