The Kwara State Government has initiated a fresh drive to encourage healthy dietary habits within households, coinciding with the observance of World Nutrition Day.
The “Eat a Rainbow” initiative was launched on Wednesday and promotes the consumption of a variety of colorful foods such as fruits and veggies daily to maintain health and combat malnutrition.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, present through the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, stated that this initiative forms part of their endeavors to enhance public health within the state.
“The aim of this campaign extends beyond promoting fruits and vegetables. It serves as a call to action, reminding us that the decisions we make today have a direct impact on shaping the future for our children, families, and communities,” stated the Governor.
Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Commissioner for Health, shared some straightforward advice on how individuals can maintain a healthy diet without breaking the bank.
“It doesn’t need to be costly. Incorporate groundnuts into your garri, blend moimoi with your pap, and include vegetables such as efo tete and gbure in each dish,” she mentioned.
The wife of Kwara State’s governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, attended the event through her representative, John Bello. She commended the initiative and urged households to prioritize proper nutrition.
The guest speaker, Professor Fausat Kolawole, highlighted that inadequate dietary practices, financial constraints, and excessive consumption of quick-serve dishes contribute to why both children and adults experience nutritional deficiencies. She recommended that parents prepare nutritious meals at home utilizing locally sourced products.
The initiative has been launched following the announcement that 6.1% of children below the age of five in the region continue to suffer from malnutrition.
Dr. El-Imam stated that the percentage of undernourished children has decreased from 7.3% in 2018 to 6.1% currently, yet numerous children continue to require assistance.
“Currently, this statistic has dropped to 6.1% for children under five years old in Kwara State, which means approximately 50,744 children require urgent assistance due to wasting,” she stated at the event.
Wasting refers to a type of malnutrition characterized by children who are excessively underweight relative to their height, typically due to poor dietary intake or prolonged illness.
El-Imam stated that the government is exerting significant efforts to reduce these figures even further and has equipped healthcare providers with training to improve nutritional support for children and mothers both at health centers and within their local communities.
Many government officials and traditional leaders were present at the event, such as Dr. Haliru Yahaya, the Emir of Shonga, and Dr. Abubakar Jos, who holds the title of Balogun Alanamu.
The administration stated it will persist in promoting the “Eat a Rainbow” campaign throughout the state to assist families in improving their diets and maintaining children’s health.
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