The Plateau State Government has expanded its child nutrition intervention programme as part of efforts to reduce malnutrition and stunting among children aged six to 18 months across the state.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with nutrition-focused organisation Evidence Action, is aimed at improving access to Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS), strengthening healthcare delivery and integrating nutrition support into the state’s existing health and nutrition systems.
According to a statement issued by the government on Thursday, the commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit in Jos, where officials of the Plateau State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and representatives of Evidence Action discussed strategies to scale up nutrition interventions across the state.
During the meeting, Evidence Action disclosed plans to reach 90 per cent of eligible children and ensure that at least 85 per cent complete the recommended six-month supplementation programme.
The first phase of the intervention will cover selected wards and 111 health facilities across 12 Local Government Areas, using a Federal Ministry of Health optimisation tool to identify communities with high rates of child stunting.
The organisation also said it would strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers through training, technical support and continuous monitoring to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Yohanna Mangut, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to tackling child malnutrition.
Mangut disclosed that more than 53,000 cartons of SQLNS were distributed through UNICEF to 210 health facilities across the state last year, while additional supplies had been procured to sustain the intervention.
He stressed the need to link SQLNS distribution with routine immunisation services to encourage greater caregiver participation and improve coverage among eligible children.
The stakeholders also called for formal government endorsement of the programme, stronger policy integration, improved logistics and coordinated monitoring to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to improving child nutrition outcomes and reducing stunting among children across Plateau State.