in the country.
The fund’s Chief of Nutrition in Nigeria,(UNICEF) , made the call during a two-day visit to Jigawa.
Hajeebhoy said food and nutrition issues were affecting national development because they impact on healthy living.
She added that “a robust and sustainable food and nutrition policy would address quality growth of babies and ensure healthy lives.”
The UNICEF chief of nutrition expert stressed the need for inclusion of food and nutrition issues into National Health Insurance program
to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses and ensure sustainability.
She also urged the Jigawa Government to find alternative sources of funding its food and nutrition intervention program.
READ ALSO:Southwest pensioners reject N70k minimum wage, urge new negotiations
She suggested partnering with the private sector, philanthropists, Zakkat Foundation and corporate organizations.
The UNICEF official met with the state’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kabir Ibrahim, and his Budget and Economic Planning
counterpart, Alhaji Muhammad Yushua.
Responding, Ibrahim said the state government allocated N1.5 billion for health insurance and N324 million for nutrition services.
According to him, the state government is also feeding patients and care givers free three times daily as a deliberate policy to revert the curve.
READ ALSO:FG, ex-CJN Onnoghen get approval to settle sack suit out of court
On his part, Yushua lauded UNICEF for the technical support given to the state over the years and solicited for more.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hajeebhoy had earlier gone round the Tisa Masaki Centre, the Sakwaya Primary
Healthcare Centre and General Hospital, Dutse, to assess the work ability of the fund’s support to the state.
