Ugwuanyi reaffirms commitment to partnership with UNICEF on fight against malnutrition

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has pledged to ratify the state Multi-sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition aimed at curbing stunting and malnutrition in the state in line with adoption of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition and domestication of the National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition by his administration.

Ugwuanyi made the pledge yesterday during a joint advocacy visit by the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Enugu field office led by the Chief Field Officer, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, and the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) led by the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Ugwunta.

The governor, who was delighted at the concerted efforts of the joint committee, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the fight against malnutrition in the state by continuously supporting nutrition interventions, particularly through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)/UNICEF Progressing Action for Resilient Systems for Nutrition through Innovation and Partnership (PARSNIP) programme in the state.

The PARSNIP, a grant matching-fund programme, is aligned with UNICEF’s commitment to the prevention, early detection and treatment of child wasting, while promoting government’s leadership in the programme.

The joint advocacy visit to the governor heralded the first coordination meeting of partners and stakeholders on nutrition and PARSNIP, which held yesterday, at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, with the theme, ‘Prioritising Investment in Maternal, Infant, Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition: A key to sustainable Development in Enugu State.’ 

Noting that malnutrition is hampering the survival and development of children in the state and the nation, the governor stressed significance of the PARSNIP programme in curbing stunting and malnutrition in the state and beyond.

Speaking, the Chief Field Officer, UNICEF, Chiluwe, commended Ugwuanyi for milestone achievements of his administration in the health sector, especially with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. He disclosed that the essence of the visit was to discuss the need to improve nutrition for women and children.