Isiyaku Ahmed
According to Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) – 2016, Jigawa state records one of the worst malnutrition indices in Nigeria with 66% stunting, 13.8% wasting, 50.4% underweight rates of under-5.
Today, Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has launched MASAKI Nutrition Project (MNP). It will be in 150 locations in 27 Local Government Areas, that is 5 communities per constituency targeting children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) for on the spot treatment through modified diet while children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) will be referred to outpatient therapeutic program for treatment.
During the launching, a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations working with other stakeholders to increase support and funds for the prevention and treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Jigawa State called for more intervention by government and donor partners.
The coalition underlined the need for government to increase support, funding and other interventions on nutrition and for the proper implementation of the MASAKI Nutrition project at community level for the benefit of the people in the state.
Comrade Musbahu Basirka, the leader of the coalition on nutrition with supported from ISMPH, ABF and CISLAC added that, addressing nutrition issues need a wholistic approach and extra attention by government in the state.
The group also commended Jigawa state government for not cutting or tampering with nutrition funds in the recently revised Jigawa State 2020 Budget and for initiating MASAKI Project which is the first of its kind in the Nigeria.
The coalition has Community Development Initiative Forum (CODEF), Organization for Community Civil Engagement (OCCEN) and Silver Lining for Needy Initiative as members.
The MASAKI (in Hausa is a calabash containing varieties of grains) is a government initiated Project designed to empower women with skills on how to prepare nutritious food for children using locally available food stuff and vegetables; examples of such meals are faten Wake or bean porridge, the use of Moringa to prepare variety of nutritional diets including juice called Kunun zogale among others; this is aimed at improving nutrition in children under 5 years.
