By Aisha Tamba
The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) last week concluded a three-day training of 18 women in the Bundung Mothers’ Clubs on basic nutrition.
The Unicef-funded programme also trained women in Fajikunda and it’s expected to train more around the region.
Participants were trained on excessive breastfeeding; personal hygiene and environmental sanitation; growth monitoring and promotion; iodine salt identification and others. It aims to arm mothers’ clubs with the requisite knowledge in combating malnutrition in society.
Participants were also trained on sources of nutrients; functions of nutrients in the human body; Infant and young child feeding practices with an emphasis on optimal breastfeeding, and nutritional assessment using the Mid Upper Arm Circumference tape (MUAC).
The MUAC measuring tape is an instrument used for measuring the nutritional status of 6-59 months old children.
The participants were given measuring tapes to assess the nutritional status of children and advise parents on how to improve on nutrition.
According to experts, the importance of training mother’s clubs on basic nutrition cannot be overemphasized as it contributes immensely to children’s health.
Alieu Kujabi, program manager for NaNA, said the nutrition agency has realized a surge of malnutrition in under-five urban children.
He added NaNA deems it necessary to establish mothers’ clubs in the urban area and train them so that they help in detecting malnutrition in society.
“If the mothers’ clubs are trained they will help us (NaNA) to detect malnutrition within the communities and then take appropriate measures. They will also help the hospital in terms of referral and the hospital will need them in information dissemination,” he said.
He added: “The training of mother clubs will really help the agency and healthcare officers in averting serious malnutrition of children under five.”
He urged all to work unanimously with the mothers’ clubs to ensure efficient service delivery on nutritional assessment in society.
Kujabi commended UNICEF for funding the workshop and said their support to NaNA over the years has been recognized and appreciated.
