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Nutrition International, foundation train 72,688 care-givers in Kano, Sokoto

By Gbenga Akinfenwa
19 April 2022   |   4:01 am
Over 72,688 caregivers and 2,594 healthcare workers have been reached in Kano and Sokoto states, as part of efforts to combat childhood diarrhoea in northern Nigeria.

Over 72,688 caregivers and 2,594 healthcare workers have been reached in Kano and Sokoto states, as part of efforts to combat childhood diarrhoea in northern Nigeria.

This was revealed, yesterday, during the conclusion of the first phase of the Scaling Up of Zinc and Lo-ORS for the Treatment of Childhood Diarrhoea in Northern Nigeria Project, implemented by Wellbeing Foundation Africa, in partnership with Kano and Sokoto states, funded by Nutrition International and the Government of Canada.

During the close-out event, Nutrition International Nigeria Programme Director, Dr. Titilola Abolade said, the Scaling up Zinc and Low-Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Solution will improve childhood diarrhoea treatment, adding that the move would also contribute to child survival.

Abolade said: “Diarrhoea is a leading cause of malnutrition and death in children under the age of five. Malnutrition is also known to prolong episodes of diarrhoea and increased mortality. Diarrhoea is preventable and can be treated with Zinc and Lo-ORS. We are pleased to be partnering with the government of Nigeria and people of Sokoto and Kano states in this initiative with the focus of contributing to improved and prompt health-seeking behaviour.”

The Founder/President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, said: “The ‘Scaling up Zinc and Lo-ORS to Improve Childhood Diarrhoea treatment in Northern Nigeria’ project has strengthened the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) schemes in Kano and Sokoto states, which catalyses modern medicine with better supply chain and financial procurement management.

“This project, implemented by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa provided Supportive Supervision for health workers; in-facility and follow-up home visits to caregivers; and increased community stakeholders’ engagement, all of which have created a state-wide behavioural change that delivered measurable improvements where most needed.

I commend the impact made by the Nutrition International and Wellbeing Foundation Africa partnership and look forward to working on the next phase of this project.”

The organisers revealed that during the first phase, the Nutrition International and Wellbeing Foundation Africa state teams engaged in advocacy with state policymakers and stakeholders to get an increase in states’ financial commitment to the Drug Revolving Fund scheme; reviewed the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedure for both states; and inaugurated an 810-member DRF committee in Sokoto.

It was disclosed that Nutrition International had also carried out the digitalisation of the Kano State medical stores to ensure proper drug monitoring and inventory management of all drugs in the state for accountability and transparency.

The partners are looking to increase the number of care-givers, who seek prompt care for cases of childhood diarrhoea, by an additional 2,238,439 by 2023. Diarrhoea is a leading cause of malnutrition and death in children under the age of five, and malnutrition is also known to prolong episodes of diarrhoea and increase mortality.

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