Nutrition International, SOSG Hold Vitamin A Supplementation PECS Meeting

Stakeholders at a Nutrition International meeting in collaboration with Sokoto State Government have reached a consensus to step up activities on community mobilization and advocacy to relevant policy makers.

These are parts of the decisions on next steps, at a one-day Vitamin A Supplementation Post Event Coverage Survey, PECS, Dissemination meeting, held in Sokoto.

In her opening remarks, the executive secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Larai Aliyu Tambuwal, represented by Dr Tukur Magaji, tasked stakeholders with implementing child health programmes.

The meeting, according to her, is about collaboration to make significant impact in the lives of the children especially, to improve the coverage of Vitamin A Supplementation and reduce Vitamin A deficiency of children under five.

Nutrition International state coordinator, Oyedeji Ayobami, harped on the achievements and what works better in NI collaboration with Sokoto State government.

Oyedeji said, “Identifying what works better in Nutrition International collaboration with Sokoto state government gives us access to coverage, identify service gap in the state and the barriers in our implementation processes.”

Nutrition International’s Programme Officer, Child Health & Nutrition/VAS, Junaidu Sani, dwell extensively on the key findings of Vitamin A Supplementation Post Event Coverage Survey, (PECS) in Sokoto State.

He stressed the need for the state to release more funds to ensure all eligible children are reached with VAS and all MNCH Services in the state. He added that NI will continue to partner with stakeholders to ensure all eligible children are reached with Vitamin A Supplementation to reduce morbidity and mortality of children under five.

There were also presentations on PECS methodology findings; Sokoto Nutrition Situation report/MNCHW review alongside goodwill messages from UNICEF, the academia and other stakeholders at the meeting.

Deliberations and discussion sessions were moderated by Dr Nasir Umar, Sokoto State Nutrition Officer, (SPHCDA).