Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance Kenya -SUN-CSA Kenya-has called for health systems transformation towards integration of essential nutrition actions as an important component of achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
Speaking at a nutrition champions advocacy workshop in Nairobi, SUN-CSA Kenya national Coordinator Edgar Okoth Onyango explained that UHC cannot be achieved without ensuring everyone has access to quality nutrition services.
According to chief executive officer (CEO) Tajizuri society, Nutrition advocacy expert and SUNCSA advocacy workshop facilitator, Martina Aoko Adega, malnutrion places children at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Nutrition is a marker and maker of development.
Martina added that, averting stunting before 2 years of age is beneficial to optimal physical and mental growth and development of a child. She emphasized that in addition to early detection, diagnosis and timely intervention of the various forms of malnutrition (overweight, wasting and stunting), there is need to prioritize multisectoral collaborations through nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive intervention.
Investing in the most cost-effective interventions during the first 1000 days is the best strategy to generate the highest returns in health, human capital and economic benefits,” she said adding that, “the first 5 years and below determines the future workforce. Investing in Nutrition is investing in the future economy of a nation.
The SUN-CSA Kenya nutrition champions advocacy workshop was convened in Nairobi from 19th to 21st September drawing participants from various county assemblies, county first ladies, SUN-CSA officials from Kenya and Nigeria and media with an aim to enhance knowledge of champions on nutrition landscape, increase their advocacy knowledge and application of SMART advocacy approach that will help champions develop SMART nutrition strategies with defined plans.
SUN CSA-Kenya, which is part of a global movement active in countries with high numbers of children aged under five who are moderately or severely stunted, obese and malnourished and undertakes capacity building of civil society organizations (CSOs) to scale up nutrition and advocacy at national and local levels. The networks support the government and, in particular, the Ministry of Health to develop nutrition related policy and communication documents.
Civil-society-scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria, Program manager, Dr Goodness Anyanwu said that the training will equip champions with knowledge and build structures in the counties that will enable the champions to create visibility on nutrition issues.
“The convenor invited Key decision makers in the county governments and sensitized them to understand the nutrition problems affecting their population.”
Anita Mutula first lady Makueni county, founder and chairperson Anita Mbinya foundation applauded SUN-CSA for convening the champions workshop saying that the training has enhanced participants knowledge on the multi-sectoral approach in intervention programs and strategies since nutrition is not only a health agenda but intervention programs should also involve departments of agriculture, environment and climate change, water, sanitation and economic empowerment programs.
“The workshop has equipped us with more knowledge to approach nutrition intervention programs strategically and the need to itemize nutrition budget during county budgetary process, it has also highlighted the need to allocate adequate nutrition budgets and employ enough nutrition and dieticians’ human resource.”
According to Kenya national Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data malnutrion percentages nationally is at 3percent for obese and overweight, wasting at 5 percent, and stunting at 18 percent. However, data from counties is worrying as some counties such as Kilifi county stunting rates stand at 37 percent, Samburu 31 percent and Pokot at 34 percent therefore calling for enhanced nutrition interventions
Effects of malnutrition if not addressed leads to low immunity, poor child growth and development, high demand for health services and affects cognitive development of young children.
According to Narok county assembly deputy speaker Hon Isaac Dapash, the counties should have adequate nutrition workforce and allocate resources to the department of nutrition.
He said that there is inadequate research on nutrition status of the counties and therefore a need to do research and assessment to determine priority areas for timely interventions.
Majority leader Homabay county assembly Richard Ogindo urged various county governments budget committees to allocate adequate funds for nutrition intervention services and employ adequate nutrition workforce to serve counties on matters nutrition.
Member of County assembly and vice Chairman health committee, Migori County, Hon Clarkson Mohomo Mwita appreciated the SUN CSA Advocacy Champions training program because it enhanced capacity building in understanding nutrition landscape across Kenya and outside and improved knowledge on how to advocate for increased nutrition interventions programs budgetary allocation during the budget making process.
