A Non-governmental organisation, NGO known as the Catalysing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) has inaugurated nutrition corners and facility gardens in 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State.
Health and Nutrition Technical Officer of the NGO, Anna Ishaiku disclosed this while handing over the facilities to Inkil and Gokaru Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Alkaleri LGA.
She noted that the facilities were also inaugurated in Bauchi, Misau, Zaki, Warji, Katagum, Jama’are, Ningi, Toro, and Dass LGAs.
“The overall goal of inaugurating these facilities is to reduce maternal and child malnutrition across CASCADE implementing states.
“The activation of the nutrition corners provides designated spaces for counselling, food demonstrations, and malnutrition prevention.
“It also promotes the increased consumption of healthy diets by pregnant and lactating patients in the selected health facilities,” Ishaiku said.
She said the project included demonstrations on seed planting, cooking, and access to nutritious foods at the PHCs.
“We encourage women to plant seeds such as gboma, sika, tomato, and okro at their homes for consumption.
“All seeds used for demonstrations are improved varieties and not genetically modified.
“For instance, the gboma sika seed boosts blood production and is a rich source of iron,” she said.
She explained that health workers at the benefiting facilities would continue teaching women cooking methods during antenatal visits.
Nutrition Focal Person of Alkaleri LGA, Abubakar Ahmed hailed CASCADE for inaugurating the project, noting that it would greatly benefit mothers and children in the area.
“The health of women and their children will improve if they effectively utilise what they are taught,” he said.
A cross-section of pregnant and lactating mothers who spoke at the facilities also commended CASCADE and pledged to take advantage of the opportunities provided.
NAN