Kaduna Trains Health Workers To Eradicate Malnutrition

The Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) has commenced train-the-trainer programme to eradicate malnutrition in the state, an official has said.

Hajiya Ummi El-Rufa’i, the wife to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, disclosed this at the flag-off of the training programme for some selected health personnel in Zaria.

The training is entitled: “Training on Community Management of Acute Malnutrition: Training of Trainers (TOT)”.

The governor’s wife, who was represented by Alhaji Shehu Usman-Muhammad, a member of KADENAP, said the workshop was aimed at improving the quality of health workers’ service in the management of malnutrition.

“It is specifically organised to train-the-trainers for them to train others in their various local governments and zones.

“It provides an opportunity to bring participants together from all over the state and best 20 will be selected to become trainers in the management of malnutrition in primary and secondary facilities,” she said.

The governor’s wife said the personnel were drawn from state and federal health agencies and training institutions.

She identified management of malnutrition as a critical element in ensuring healthy future generation.

The governor’s wife said she was motivated to be part of the crusade following a UNICEF study which showed a high rate of malnutrition in the state.

She said both her and the governor saw the report and felt so bad.

“The children are malnourished not because of lack of food but because of ignorance, culture, food preparation and management.

“We took it upon ourselves to change the trend and to give a sense of hope to our future generation,” she said.

Hajiya Hauwwa Usman, Assistant State Nutrition Officer, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the workshop was meant to proffer solution to acute malnutrition.

She said at the end of the training they want to get trainers who would train others on malnutrition at Community Management Adequate Malnutrition centres at various local government levels across the state.

“We want to eradicate malnutrition in Kaduna State. To achieve that, we need to train our workers on how to go about the eradication process.

“It is through this kind of training that the health personnel will be trained for the benefit of others,” she said.

A cross section of participants interviewed expressed appreciation for the training and pledged to impart the knowledge acquired on others to achieve the set goals.

The report says that about 69 health personnel were selected from the 23 local government areas of the state.