County Governments have been urged to set aside enough funds for nutrition and food intervention in their County Integrated Development Programmes (CIDPs) in order to ensure sustainable healthy communities.
Speaking during a three day sector wise nutrition champions training forum held at a Lumakanda hotel in Lugari Sub County, Dr. Emily Teshune, USAID Advancing Nutrition official said nutrition is a key component in development like other sectors.
Dr. Teshune who is a Nutritionist Sensitive Advisor in USAID Advancing Nutrition Programme noted that County Governments have set aside funds mostly in education, health, infrastructure unlike nutrition, which is given little attention, yet it forms part of development.
The nutrition expert warned that continued disregarding of nutrition funding was negatively impacting promotion of nutrition in Counties which have highest malnutrition figures.
“Normally enough funds are put in sectors like education, health and infrastructure, but most of the time nutrition matters are not emphasized and yet they remain a key component of development,” wondered Dr. Teshune.
She noted that Non-Government Organizations like USAID mostly who fund nutrition programmes work within given periods for instance two or four years.
She said NGO’s efforts to boost nutrition in Counties collapse after the end of their assigned periods because there was no legalized funding framework from County Governments to continue supporting NGOs work efforts.
The health official said USAID Advancing Nutrition was determined to train sector wise nutrition champions within Kakamega County from departments of education, water, agriculture, administrators and health, who will link the nutrition promoters, community and their leaders on the importance of nutrition.
“Nutrition champions are expected to engage the leaders so that when they are in decision making on budgeting, they should also include components of nutrition,” she revealed.
Racheal Kavithe, who led the team said there was need for a multi-sectoral approach in order to alleviate multi-nutrition in Kakamega County, which remains high despite the region receiving enough rains compared to other dry counties.
On her part, Maureen Nandwa, Nutritionist in charge of Likuyani Sub-County also warned that malnutrition among children leads to serious health issues among children which includes stunted growth.
Each of the 12 Sub-Counties in Kakamega County will have at least 5 trained nutrition champions according to Dr. Teshune.
The programme is supported by USAID Advancing Nutrition Programme together with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, which are also supporting reproductive health in Kisumu and Kakamega Counties.
