Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving nutrition for children and women across the state.
The governor made this known on Monday in Lokoja during the inauguration of a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM).
The training, organised by the Kogi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project, is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to manage cases of acute malnutrition in children effectively.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ali Bello, Governor Ododo emphasised the vital importance of early childhood nutrition and the need for proactive strategies to combat malnutrition.
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He announced that the state government had commenced treatment protocols for malnourished individuals, adding that the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency had been directed to cover medical expenses for all malnourished children with additional co-morbidities.
The governor also called on all stakeholders to intensify efforts in community mobilisation and public awareness, ensuring that children between the ages of six and 59 months have unhindered access to essential healthcare services.
In his address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, stressed the importance of the training in strengthening child nutrition outcomes across the state.
He echoed the governor’s call for increased community engagement to promote awareness and uptake of available healthcare interventions.