In a bold move to tackle malnutrition and poor healthcare services, the Bauchi State House of Assembly has vowed to increase budgetary allocations for nutrition in 2025.
Speaking at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Jos, Speaker Abubakar Sulaiman assured partners, including UNICEF and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, that supplementary funding would be added despite the 2025 budget already being passed.
Addressing Malnutrition in Bauchi
Lawmakers expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of child malnutrition, particularly stunted growth among children under five.
Some of the key issues identified include:
✔️ Low public awareness about nutrition
✔️ Shortage of healthcare personnel in rural areas
✔️ Poor water sanitation
✔️ Lack of a dedicated nutrition department in the State Primary Health Care Board
Legislative Actions to Boost Nutrition
To tackle these concerns, the House Committees on Food Security & Nutrition and Public Accounts have been mandated to:
🔍 Investigate how Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) funds for malnourished children in the 2024 budget were utilized.
💰 Create a dedicated budget line for nutrition programs across relevant ministries.
📢 Advocate for legislation extending paid maternity leave from three to six months to support exclusive breastfeeding.
🏥 Ensure local governments allocate nutrition funds across all 20 LGAs.
🩺 Procure hemoglobin testing machines for primary healthcare centers.
👶 Establish a Child Nutrition Fund with contributions from government allocations, the private sector, and individual donors.
UNICEF’s Call for More Action
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of the Bauchi Field Office, praised the government’s efforts but issued a stark warning:
📈 In the last five years, malnutrition rates in Bauchi have worsened:
Severe acute malnutrition increased by 2.9%
Moderate malnutrition rose by 7%
She urged increased investment in nutrition financing to reverse this trend and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to providing technical and financial support.
The Way Forward
With the Bauchi Assembly’s renewed commitment, stakeholders hope for better nutrition policies, improved service delivery, and increased access to essential nutrition supplies for vulnerable children and families.
