Kefas flags off campaign against malnutrition

Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas has flagged off a campaign aimed at tackling the menace of malnutrition, especially among children in the state.

Speaking during the flag off in Jalingo, Governor Kefas disclosed that the campaign is aimed at addressing the problem of malnutrition in the state.

He also announced the activation of the committee on nutrition, which will be headed by the Taraba State Commissioner of Health, adding that some medical experts would be included in the committee to boost performance. 

Governor Kefas, however, charged the committee to come up with a budget proposal in order to enable the committee carry out its assignment in a way that will resolve the problem of malnutrition across the state.

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He noted that suggestions on the way forward that will address the problem of malnutrition will be implemented by his administration.

In his remarks, the Taraba State Commissioner of Health, Dr Bodiya Buma identified causes of malnutrition as poverty and food insecurity among others.

He revealed that the state is partnering with several organisations to tackle malnutrition in the state.

In her presentation on Multi sectoral Approach to Management of Malnutrition in Taraba State, the Head of Department, Nutrition and Dietetics, Taraba State Specialist Hospital, Jalingo, Grace Stephen, said the Northeast and Northwest geopolitical zones have recorded the highest rate of malnutrition.

She stated that the report ranked Taraba State as the third highest state in the Northeast with 45.5 five stunted children.

Grace Stephen, however identified inadequate dietary intake, lack of access to nutritious food, poor feeding practices, poverty and food insecurity as some of the direct and indirect causes of malnutrition in the state.