Ahmed Ododo, Kogi Governor, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing nutrition for children and women in the state.
In a statement signed by Dorothy Onoja, Public Relations Officer (PRO), the Kogi State Ministry of Health, Ododo prominently highlighted this dedication during the launch of a training program for trainers on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) in Lokoja.
Organized by the Kogi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with ANRIN projects, the training aims to equip healthcare professionals with essential skills to effectively manage acute malnutrition in children.
In a speech, Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ododo emphasized the critical importance of early nutrition for children and the necessity for the state government to implement proactive measures to combat malnutrition.
Bello announced that the state government has initiated treatment protocols for malnourished individuals.
He directed the Health Insurance Agency to cover expenses for all malnourished children who may present at referral centers with additional co-morbidities.
Governor Ododo also urged stakeholders to mobilize and raise awareness within their communities to ensure that every child, particularly those aged six to fifty-nine months, has access to available healthcare services.
Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza, the Commissioner of Health, underscored the significance of the training, which aims to enhance the nutritional status of children in Kogi State.
Adeiza encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training in their respective areas of work.
Dr. Olayemi Ayo, Chief Medical Director of the Kogi State Hospital Management Board, stressed the importance of participants’ diligence following the training to improve the nutritional outcomes for children and women in the state.
Participants, including Dr. Grace Afolabi, Kogi State Reproductive Health Coordinator, and Dr. Abubakar Alhassan, Director of Medical Services and Training at the Kogi State Hospital Management Board, expressed their enthusiasm for the training, recognizing it as a vital step towards addressing malnutrition.
