Increasing health workers’ knowledge central to improving dietary quality – Kwara govt
The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing improved nutritional health among infants and pregnant women, which is a crucial step towards reducing maternal mortality.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a 5-day training workshop on Maternal Infant Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) held at Fresh Hotel, Ilorin, the Director of Public Health, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, emphasized the crucial need to address undernutrition, pivotal in lowering mortality rates among mothers and children under age five.
He stated in his remarks, “Increasing the knowledge base of healthcare workers and enhancing the nutritional practices of mothers, pregnant women, and adolescent girls are central to improving dietary diversity and quality. This approach is crucial in mitigating malnutrition-related risks and reducing under-5 mortality.”
The training, organized jointly by the Federal Ministry of Health, Social Welfare (FMoHSW), Kwara State Ministry of Health, and supported by the World Bank’s ANRiN project, aimed at expanding the pool of trainers capable of providing training to health facilities across the state.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, highlighted the critical importance of adequate nutrition throughout pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, underscoring its profound impact on child development and national well-being.
She noted that malnutrition-related deaths constitute a significant portion of infant and maternal mortality nationwide, a statistic she deemed unacceptable.
The workshop was attended by participants from various sectors, including healthcare providers, academics, and civil organizations.
