CISLAC
Severe Acute
CISLAC
Severe Acute Malnutrition: CISLAC holds memorable
gubernatorial debate in Jigawa
By Abubakar Jimoh
An estimated 2.5 million Nigerian children under-5 suffer from
Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) annually, exposing nearly 420,000
children under-5 to early death from common childhood illnesses
such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria.
Jigawa state records one of the worst malnutrition indices in
Nigeria with 66% stunting, 13.8% wasting, 50.4% underweight rates
of under-5, as reported by Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys
(MICS) in 2016.
Malnutrition and nutrition-related morbidity constitute serious
public health concerns in the state with 15.5% exclusive
breastfeeding rate. In 2017, the Community-based Management of
Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programmes admitted 62,953 with 57,201
cured, 170 death and 911 defaulters, consumption of RUTF varies
along monthly admission rate.
It is against this background that Civil Society Legislative
Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) organised a first time in history debate
for gubernatorial candidates in the state to provoke constructive
discussions and interactions on efficient Primary Health Care as a
prerequisite for prevention and treatment of Severe Acute
Malnutrition (SAM).
Given the importance role of political parties in the general
elections, the debate elicited commitments of the candidates to
address SAM in state.
The debate attended by gubernatorial candidates of All
Progressives Congress (APC), SDP, PDP, PDM, People’s Trust, MPN
provided them with enabling platform to articulate proposed policy
and programmes to advance adequate nutrition status as a child
right with assurances to strengthen Primary Health Care system for
adequate and sustainable nutrition intervention.
‘We will prioritise LGs with severe cases’ – APC
As contains in its party manifesto, All Progressives Congress
(APC) commits to: prioritise the reduction of the infant mortality
rate by 2019 to 3%; reduce maternal mortality by more than 70%;
reduce HIV/AIDs infection rate by 50% and other infectious diseases
by 75%; improve life expectancy by additional 10 years on average
through our national healthy living program.
The party also commits to increase the number of physicians from
19 per 1000 population to 50 per 1000; increase national health
expenditure per person per annum to about N50,000 (from less than
N10,000 currently); provide free ante-natal care for pregnant
women, free health care for babies and children up to school going
age and for the aged and free treatment for those afflicted with
infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; boost the
local manufacture of pharmaceuticals and make non adulterated drugs
readily available.
While responding to questions during the debate, candidate of
APC also the present Governor of the State, Alhaji Mohammed
Abubakar Badaru represented by his Deputy Barrister Ibrahim Hassan
Hadejia said in order to attain adequate and optimum healthcare
delivery across the state, the administration had commenced the
implementation of Primary Health Care provisions as enshrined in
the National Health Act, 2014.
According to him, apart from working to ensure functional and
effective Primary Health, the administration works towards
provision of one Primary Health Care centre per ward.
“Jigawa state is the first state in Nigeria to complete its
conditional cash transfer programme. The 2019 budget has an
extensive allocation for SAM program to nine (9) Local Government
Areas.
“We will prioritise Local Governments with severe malnutrition
cases, while sustaining existing coverage.
“The state has budgeted sum of N2billion for conditional cash
transfer programme. Also, N160million has been budgeted for
nutrition counterpart funding.
“State Government will ensure timely release to sustain existing
effort.
“Through adequate mapping and preparation, we will revitalise
our Primary Health Care centres to effective cater for SAM.
“We will boost human resources for Primary Health through
adequate recruitment of health workers to improve access to
healthcare services.
“This will be supported through our existing programme in School
of Nursing and community scheme to encourage enrolment of girls
into health institutions and community participation in healthcare
services,” he assured.
‘We will facilitate timely release of funds’ – SDP
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) acknowledges that citizen’s
productive capacities are predicated on good health.
The party in its manifesto commits to free health services for
all Nigerians up to the age of 18 and seniors over the age of 65
years; and affordable health services for all Nigerians in every
part of the country; create infrastructural facilities in the
health sector for effective health care delivery.
Other promises by the party include to revitalise primary,
secondary and tertiary health care systems; give special attention
in addressing problems of WF, HIV/AIDS, maternal and infant
mortality; and make functional clinics accessible to inaccessible
communities.
While responding to a question on proposed strategy by the party
to ensure sustainable investment for the CMAM activities and
expansion to other Local Government yet to be covered, Hon. Bashir
Adamu Jimbo, the Gubernatorial candidate of SDP said the party
would work towards sustainable initiatives and free programmes on
Primary Health Care to systematically curb malnutrition, while
enhancing SAM interventions in the state.
He assured to prioritise sustainable CMAM programmes and
nutrition investment through constructive collaboration with Civil
Society Organisation and development partners to extend CMAM
activities to other Local Government Area yet to be covered in the
state.
Hon. Jimbo attributed delay in release of budgeted funds as the
major factor militating against sustainable interventions to
address SAM in the state, while giving assurance to facilitate
timely release of funds, if elected as the Governor.
“Proper collaboration with Civil Society groups and development
partners will help in adequate supervision, promote accountability
and ensure compliance to the implementation of nutrition funding as
contains in the budget,” he explained.
‘We will deploy adequate human resources for health’ – PDP
The People Democratic Party’s overall policy objective for the
health sector aims at improving the health status of Nigerians in
order to increase productivity, job creation, wealth creation and
poverty reduction through improvement of healthcare services,
ensuring universal access to basic health care and reproductive
health, improvement of maternal and child health.
Mallam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, the party’s gubernatorial candidate
during the debate committed to fulfil the state’s commitment to
adequate nutrition investment through strengthen financial and
technical collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He promised to reintroduce Guduma Health system as part of
initiatives to improve efficient Primary Health Care services
delivery at community level, while adopting a multi-sectoral
approach to improve services.
“Adequate human resources remains paramount to effectively
deliver on Primary Health Care. We will encourage appropriate
training, retraining and research programmes to boost skilled
healthcare personnel to be deployed across healthcare centres.
“We will enhance collaboration with development partners and
Civil Society groups to sustain adequate funding for SAM
prevention,” Mallam Ibrahim
‘We will strengthen accountability around PHC, nutrition funds’
– PDM
As contains in its party manifesto, Peoples Democratic Movement
(PDM) commits to ensure proper coordination and reinforcement of
government and nongovernmental organizations to improve access to
qualitative Primary Health Care; health education and advocacy in
schools and through community based associations; constructive
engagement of international health management and delivery agencies
on preventive medical initiatives.
Other promises by the party include support for healthy
lifestyle advocacy; establishment of a National Health Board and
Health monitoring and regulations blueprint; improved access to
affordable medical care; reduction in infant and child mortality
rate; increase in life expectancy; reduction in loss manpower
arising from illness; and reduction in the need for medical
treatment outside Nigeria.
In his response to a question on the immediate measures the
party will put in place to ensure timely release and judicious
utilisation of fund by the line Ministries, Departments and
Agencies, Mallam Muhammad Sanusi, the candidate of PDM promised to
ensure proper control and supervision of government finances to
promote full implementation of nutrition funds in the state.
In order to ensure functional Primary Health Care, Mallam Sanusi
assured to maintain regular supervision of PHC centres in the state
through partnership with Civil Society Organisations.
“Our government with work with CSOs to provide adequate
financial resources to nutrition activities and ensure
accountability by every person in charge of nutrition
programme.
“Apart from financial prudence, we will ensure timely release of
budgeted funds to sustain and expand nutrition interventions in the
state.
“We will boost human resources for Primary Health Care through
adequate recruitment of skilled personnel of high professional
competence,” he assured.
‘We will commit $160 per child to prevent SAM’ – MPN
The gubernatorial candidate of Mega Party of Nigeria, Sheik
Rudman Abdullah, during the debate pledged to establish Desk
Official across the 27 Local Government Areas in the state, and
sustain partnership with development partners and Civil Society
Organisations.
“If elected as the next governor, I will commit $160 per child
to prevent SAM across Primary Health Care centres.
“I will hold responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies
accountable to ensure timely release of funds; and mainstream
nutrition in primary and secondary education curricula,” he
assured.
‘We will double existing budgetary provision for treatment of
SAM’ – PT
“If elected as the next governor, l will double existing
budgetary provision for prevention of SAM and ensure timely release
of fund.
“I will operate philosophical approach to governance, secure
child right and boost Primary Health Care through targeted
empowerment programmes,” said Muhammad M.Y Milo, gubernatorial
candidate of Peoples’ Trust party.
In her remarks at the end of the debate, Chioma Kanu, Program
Manager (Health, Human Development and Social Inclusion), CISLAC,
encourage each party to prioritize Community Management of Acute
Malnutrition (CMAM) programmes in the state through existing
policies implementation, adequate budgetary allocation, timely
release, cash backing and utilization of funds and oversight
activities.
She advised them to ensure Local Government autonomy to enhance
full financial independence in the management of Primary Health
Care systems for transparency and accountability to promote
adequate and sustainable coverage of nutrition interventions in the
state.
She said: “Expanding the existing CMAM programmes to additional
prioritized Local Government Areas in various states for adequate
coverage and timely intervention is paramount across the
states.
“Prioritising full implementation of the National Health Act
2014 will promote adequate, accessible and affordable Primary
Health Care for effective delivery of CMAM and other nutrition
services.
“More importantly, sustain budget line for nutrition and ensure
timely releases of funds for the procurement RUTF will avert
stock-out in distribution, the situation that may exacerbate
treatment of SAM children in the state.
The Project Coordinator further drew their attention to full
implementation of Child Right Act to effect adequate nutrition
status as a child right.
Jimoh is the Head of Communications at Civil Society Legislative
Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Abuja.