The Civil Society for Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Benue chapter, has advocated for the creation of a child nutrition fund in Benue to ensure sustainable financing for nutrition interventions.

The Benue coordinator of CS-SUNN, Rachel Ityohzughul, made the call during a courtesy visit to state’s women affairs ministry to strengthen collaboration on policies aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition.

Ms Ityohzughul said that the fund would particularly support vulnerable women and children in communities across Benue. She commended the ministry for its continued commitment to the welfare of women and children and stressed the need for stronger nutrition-focused interventions.

“We also want to advocate the extension of paid maternity leave for nursing mothers in the civil service and support for exclusive breastfeeding from three to six months, in line with global recommendations.

“Strengthening the institutional framework and increasing funding for nutrition activities will significantly improve child survival and growth. Malnutrition remains a major public health challenge affecting children and nursing mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding can drastically reduce infant malnutrition and improve child health outcomes,” Ms Ms Ityohzughul said.

Theresa Ikwue, the ministry’s commissioner, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to policies and partnerships that promote the welfare of women and children.

Ms Ikwue said the ministry was in the process of developing nutritious meals for children aged zero to three months and six months to one year to meet the nutritional needs of children in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

She said that the initiative was being implemented through the ministry’s collaboration with female food processors in the state.

The commissioner added that the ministry remained open to partnerships with civil society organisations and development partners to advance child protection and women empowerment initiatives across Benue.

(NAN)