Kaduna Govt Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Malnutrition

Kaduna State is intensifying its efforts to combat malnutrition, a persistent challenge affecting child survival rates. The state government reaffirmed its dedication during a two-day review meeting in Zaria, bringing together nutrition focal persons from all 23 local government areas (LGAs).

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the state’s resolve to improve nutrition outcomes.

The gathering, supported by UNICEF, focused on evaluating nutrition activities from the first and second quarters, pinpointing implementation hurdles, and devising practical strategies to improve outcomes. Mukhtar Abdullahi, Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, highlighted the state's resolve to enhance nutrition, commending partners like UNICEF and the focal persons for their collaboration.

Jibril Isah, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Nutrition at the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, emphasized the critical link between undernutrition and child mortality, noting its association with a high percentage of deaths from diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia. He stressed the importance of interventions such as Vitamin A supplementation, routine deworming, and breastfeeding promotion.

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undernutrition as a major contributor to child mortality, noting that it is associated with more than 55 per cent of diarrhoea-related deaths, 57 per cent of malaria deaths and 45 per cent of pneumonia deaths among children.

Kaduna has demonstrated strong political will through its Multi-Sectoral Food and Nutrition Plan. The state reported an 82% Vitamin A supplementation coverage among children aged six to 59 months during the June 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, underscoring progress in critical child health initiatives.

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Vitamin A supplementation alone could reduce deaths among children under five by up to 34 per cent while protecting them against diseases such as measles, malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia.