From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu,Birnin Kebbi
Progressive Women and Youth Development (PWYP) Kebbi chapter has taken nutrition campaign to the Antenatal Unit of Sir Yahyah Memorial hospital, Birnin Kebbi to sensitize pregnant and Nursing mothers on the abundant of nutrients in the local foods.
The Chief Executive Officer of the association,Mrs. Hassana Richeal Samuel and her team were at the Sir Yahyah hospital where they interacted with pregnant and Nursing mothers on how to get nutritious food from the local foods with their communities.
Some of the local foods displayed including soya beans,millets, watermelon,sweet potatoes, groundnut, fish among other.
Speaking on the importance of the visit,CEO of the association,Mrs Samuel explained that many pregnant women have died due to shortage of blood because they lacked basic nutrients.
According to her, ” the essence of taking this awareness to this ANC unit of this hospital to enlightening our women living in various communities on how to get good and cheap nutrients from our local foods which are very abundant.
“They need to know that these local food could gives us enough nutrients. But many of them don’t know of these,so we are here to teach them how to mix up these local foods and derived sufficient nutrients.
“Again, we are also promoting our local food. Our people need to know that they don’t have to sell off all their food after harvesting,they can preserved some for consumption purposes”.
She noted they prepared for 25 Nursing mothers but when they arrived, more than 50 women were waiting for the enlightenment.
“We asked for 25 women,but now,we are having more than that number. Today is their antenatal day and it is an opportunity to address them,teach them how to mix our fruits,salad and foods to get the best nutrients.
“An orange per day could safed the live of pregnant women during labour. We have all these nutritious food around us,but we don’t know how to use it.
“We don’t want to be bringing mixed nutrients here for them,rather , we are here to teach them how to mix up our food contents and our vegetables to get suffient nutrients.
“Many pregnant women are dying during labour because they have enough nutrients in their body system. This usually caused shortage of blood. Therefore, our mission is to be saving the lives of our women and children from unnecessary death”.
She added that despite insufficient fund,her association would continued to take the campaign to many hospitals and Primary Health Centres to educate more women on the need to utilize the opportunity available in the local foods to get enough nutritious food.
Association takes nutrition campaign to Kebbi hospitals
