Govt. increases nutritional budget to N120m yearly

Gombe State Government has increased its nutritional budget from N50 to N120 million yearly, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Chairman, Maternal and Neonatal Child Health Coalition (MNCH) Gombe, Malam Alhasan Yaya, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Saturday during the meeting with stakeholders working on nutrition.

He said that the aim of the meeting was to find a lasting solution to the challenge of malnutrition facing the state.

"We are all aware that the issue of malnutrition among children is on the increase and bad across Gombe. We want to bring it down to the barest minimum," he said.

He commented Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo, for the timely release of fund to increase nutrition among children in the state.

"He has jacked the budget from N50 to N120 million, his effort is commendable.

``The governor also promised to extend the nutrition centres from three to 11,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Dr David Karatu, the State’s epidemiologist, described the issue of malnutrition among children as alarming.

"Malnutrition accounts for the death of half of Nigerian children. We are here as coalition to fight the scourge.

"We will do everything humanly possible to see that the problem is tackled in Gombe," he said.