Kebbi Records 52% Vitamin A Supplementation Coverage Among Children - Nutrition International

  

By Muhammad Lawal 

Kebbi State has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to improve child health, with a 52% vitamin A supplementation coverage among children, according to the PECS survey. This was disclosed by Mr. Babatunde Lawani, the State Coordinator of Nutrition International in Kebbi, during a one-day meeting organized by Nutrition International in collaboration with the Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in Birnin Kebbi.

The meeting, which drew health workers from various Local Government Areas of the state, aimed to enhance their knowledge and skills in ensuring improved quality and reach during the implementation of maternal and child health week. Lawani noted that the data was obtained from a survey conducted after the first round of MNCHW across the state, which was meant to validate the administrative data from the MNCHW exercise.

He explained that various intervention packages were given to children across the state, including vitamin A, Albendazole, iron folic acid, long-lasting mosquito nets, and SP, among others. These packages aimed to encourage access to health services and community uptake of services, particularly for children under five. "Vitamin A being the face of the campaign, it's not the only intervention that is given, but it's the face," Lawani noted.

Bello Aliyu, Acting State Nutrition Officer, emphasized the importance of the workshop in disseminating findings from the first round of MNCHW week. "We intend to improve from what we have seen. Basically, when a survey is conducted, it has to come out with some findings that will give room to a program or activity to have a way of improving," Aliyu said.

He highlighted the significance of the survey in tracking and moving nutrition indices forward, particularly in the distribution of vitamin A and deworming. "So, it will give us an ample opportunity to plan very well and address very well the challenges identified during the first round." Aliyu expressed satisfaction with the improving nutrition indices in Kebbi, urging stakeholders to continue making an impact on the second round of MNCHW.