Cross River Makes Case For Multi-Sectoral Approach To Reduce Gender-Based Malnutrition
The increasing case of gender based Malnutrition,especially among women and children has become a source of concern to the Government of Cross River State,hence the need for Multi-Sectoral approach to reduce the risk factors, thereby increasing food security.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, Dr Inyang Asibong, made the State position known during a two days legislative engagement on improved Nutrition for 13 ‘ Scaling Up Nutrition’ focal states, held in Ikeja,the Lagos State Capital.
The programme addressed challenges, success stories, and way forward regarding malnutrition and to assess adequacy of budgeting as compared to the burden of malnutrition in the affected states.
Asibong said, with gender related socio-economic risk factors hitting hard across the country, malnutrition in both women and children have been on the increase and one of the best way to address this is by advancing Food Systems Transformation initiatives in the affected states.
The Head of the State Delegation to the event, and Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Planning Commission , Dr Bong Duke emphasized that the State ‘ People’s First’ Governor, Sen Bassey Otu is actively bridging the gap especially in the area of advocacy and fund release for Nutrition activities in the State.
He explained that to demonstrate the political will of the government toward Nutrition,Cross River Nutrition Policy was launched by the Governor in April 2024.
Also speaking , the member representing Boki II in the CRSHA and Chairman House Committee on Health, Rt Hon Hilary Bisong, opined that the 2024 budget has the highest ever budget allocation for Nutrition in the State, and this he said,will be further improved upon in the Revised budget.
“Cross River State has a 22.9% Stunting rate for Under- 5 children, 5% wasting and 11.9% underweight children. Also 46.1 % of Women of Child bearing Age in the State are Anaemic, a development that needs improvement.
The Cross River State team also included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Mr Otu Ita, the Permanent Secretary ,State Planning Commission office, The Head of the Nutrition Department in the State Planning Commission and the State Nutrition Officer
