The Accelerating Nutrition Results In Nigeria (ARiN) project has been launched in Kano state to improve women and child health.
The had succeeded in combating malnutrition and the challenges faced by pregnant women and children in Kano State.
Speaking at an event marking three years anniversary of the project in Kano on Tuesday, Director of the ARiN in Kano, Dr. Garba Muhammad Abdullahi said the project was implemented in 17 local government areas in Kano State.
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The ARiN initiative, according to him, is a collaboration between the Kano State government, Planned Parenthood of Nigeria (PPN), and the World Bank to increase utilization of quality, coast-effective nutrition services for pregnant women and adolescent girls and children. .
Abdullahi explained that the project provides advice to pregnant women on health care, breastfeeding, and medication. .
He further explained that Kano State decided to address malnutrition, leading to the collaboration with the World Bank to implement the ARiN program.
He mentioned that under the program, every pregnant woman received essential health care, such as treatment for malaria, diarrhea, and intestinal worms in children.
Additionally, he noted that the project focused mainly on rural areas, working with community leaders to raise awareness.
The Director emphasized that the project educated women on pregnancy care, breastfeeding, and proper nutrition.
“This ARiN initiative is an effort to tackle malnutrition, as Kano has long struggled with child nutrition and care for pregnant women,” he said.
“We trained our personnel to reach out to villagers and offer guidance. The key is to educate women on what to eat, how to maintain hygiene, and how to breastfeed their babies,” he added.
The Director also stated that during the project’s implementation, there was a noticeable reduction in cases of diarrhea, especially among young children, as medicines and oral rehydration solutions were distributed.
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Certificates of recognition were awarded to outstanding participants from various local government areas.
Officials and stakeholders in the program presented reports on the successes and challenges they encountered during its implementation.
Finally, participants expressed hope for the program’s continued success in the future.