Civil society makes a pledge to align and invest in nutrition at the Nigeria Science Conference

On the 18th January 2015, the 31st National Scientific Conference was held in Makuri, organised by the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN). The lead presenters included Chris Osa Isokpunwu, Deputy Director and Head of Nutrition Division and the SUN Government Focal Point from the Federal Ministry of Health. The five day event was well attended by the members of APHPN nationally and supported by members of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON).

During the event, the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) pledged to undertake research to promote maternal new-born and child health at all levels in Nigeria and support the domestication of the National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition across the country. They will also work to establish local working groups on scaling up nutrition at all levels in Nigeria, according to a communique released at the end of the conference. CS-SUNN said they recognised that “nutrition remains a smart investment to accelerate key economic progress in the country, and reduce stunting of children.”

Director of Public Health in Benue State Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Kumba, has called on governments at all levels to tackle the issue of shortage of health workers in the country. Kumba, in a paper presented at the conclusion of the event, said governments must acknowledge the need for more health workers. He said government at various levels must show commitment to convincing parliament to approve adequate funds to tackle problems facing the health sector.

See the Declaration by CS-SUNN at the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre

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