By Hassan Zaggi
Plans have been concluded to hold a Nutrition Policy Dialogue in Nigeria. The dialogue is championed by Nigeria Health Watch.
The 2023 Nutrition Policy Dialogue, according to a statement by Nigeria Health Watch, will bring together stakeholders from the public sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the private sector to present issues affecting Nigerians’ public health.
The dialogue is also targeted at discussing extensively potential solutions and opportunities for progress, and chart actionable recommendations for policy actions.
The dialogue is with the theme: “Strengthening Nutrition Outcomes in the Face of Climate Change.”
The statement disclosed that the dialogue will bring together stakeholders in government, including the ministries of health, agriculture and environment, academia, research, development, nutrition commodities manufacturing and marketing, relevant groups and associations and healthcare providers.
The policy dialogue is scheduled to take place on the 22nd of June 2023.
The statement revealed that one in 10 children dies from hunger before age five in Nigeria.
It further regretted that achieving SDG 2, zero hunger, and SDG 3, good health and well-being, by 2030 is being challenged by hunger and poor nutrition.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, a person is food insecure when they lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active, healthy life. Unfortunately, the leading causes of food insecurity include climatic extremes such as drought, poverty, and conflict.
Research has shown that climate change has the potential to derail the achievement of a world without hunger and malnutrition because food production has a significant dependency on climatic variables such as rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity, amongst others.
As a result of this, countries must deploy mechanisms to ensure resilient food production systems that will translate to better nutrition for the populace.
In Nigeria, the National Climate Change Act supports the implementation of measures to curb the impact of climate change on food production. Direct nutrition interventions can reduce vulnerability and build resilience to climate change consequences.
The statement noted that there is provision for those who cannot attend the dialogue in person. They can join online by registering at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wonQEr9yTKeM15ILaFbUGA
