Journalists have been urged to do informed, analytical and investigative reporting on nutrition.
The Executive Secretary – Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Beatrice Eluaka made the call on Tuesday during a webinar with the theme “Harnessing innovative financing options for nutrition: the role of media” organized by; international society of media in public health (ISMPH), Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), network for health, equity and development (NHED).
According to Eluaka, journalist should avoid media pieces that are inaccurate and misleading with little proactive analysis.
Beatrice Eluaka added that media reportage on issues of budgets implementation, policy documents, utilization and releases of funds allotted to nutrition are key to generating actions among government and non-government actors, in addressing nutrition challenges in Nigeria,
On his part, the country Director, Network for Health, Equity and Development (NHED) Dr. Emmanuel Sokpo, says it costs 21,350 to treat a Severely Acute Malnourished child.
Sokpo revealed that Ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) can effectively treat children with SAM at the community level with 95% cure rate.
While urging government for timely release of funds for the procurement of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition, he urged federal government to return and release the N800m for RUTF removed from Federal Ministry of Health 2020 budget.
Also speaking at the meeting, Strategic Communications, Advocacy and Behavior Change Expert, Adviser & Trainer, Prof. Adebayo Fayoyin, stressed the need for government to Scale up high-quality information and communication on behaviours and practices that improve nutrition.
He also advocated for support in nutrition coordination and roll out strategies and plans as well as building strong evidence on agriculture-nutrition linkages.