Gombe State and UNICEF Collaborate to Enhance Child Nutrition

UNICEF has partnered with Gombe State to implement a project aimed at boosting child nutrition, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life. At the project's launch, Dr. Nuzhat Rafiqu, Chief of UNICEF's Bauchi Field Office, described it as a major milestone for ensuring that every mother and child in Gombe has the opportunity to survive and thrive.

The initiative will support the expansion of evidence-based nutrition programs and strengthen planning, coordination, and financing of nutrition interventions at both state and local government levels. Dr. Rafiqu emphasized the importance of improving maternal nutrition, increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates, and preventing micronutrient deficiencies.

The project aligns with the federal government's nutrition initiative and aims to address alarming malnutrition figures in Gombe State. Dr. Abdulrahman Shu Aibu, Executive Secretary of Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the need for sustained collaboration among government, development partners, and civil society to tackle malnutrition comprehensively.