The Chairman, Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Health, *Rt. Hon. Hilary Ekpang Bisong JP*, has called for proper utilization of budgeted funds for the overall nutritional security of citizens.
He made the call when he received in his office, members of CS-SUNN/SCFN/SPC on an advocacy visit.
Speaking on the essence of the visit, the State Coordinator for CS-SUNN and the Leader of the Team, *Mrs Nkem Ubana*, said that the need to engage stakeholders and get their support prompted the meeting. She informed that child health as it relates to exclusive breastfeeding, needs support from all. She further Commended the efforts and zeal of the present administration of *Prince Bassey Otu* for seeing the need to invest in nutritional health by launching the policy document and a matching grant for implementation.
Also elaborating on the importance of synergy and policy support, the Policy Advocacy Lead in the State Planning Commission, *Dr Inyang Asibong*, a former Commissioner for Health and later MDIC, applauded government’s policy direction in ensuring funding as already captured in the budget. She further called for timely release of funds to ensure smooth operations.
On the issue of exclusive breastfeeding, Dr Asibong said that the Team is advocating for Extended paid Maternity Leave and urged the Lawmakers to support to ensure that the advocacy bears legal backing for easy implementation.
The Lawmaker assured the Team of continued legislative support, affirming that the importance of Nutrition, especially for children and breastfeeding mothers, cannot be underestimated.
He further charged donors and partners to work with templates that are peculiar to the state and called for a Multi-sectoral high level engagement.
He also urged implementers not to focus on breastfeeding for nutrition alone, but to include other aspects of health that can impact meaningfully on general well-being.
The meeting had representatives from the CS-SUNN, STATE COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND NUTRITION,STATE PLANNING COMMISSION
