GOVERNMENT, CS-SUNN, STAKEHOLDERS ADVOCATES FOR INCREASED NUTRITION BUDGET; 6 MONTHS MATERNITY LEAVE IN CROSS RIVER STATE.

The Cross River State Planning Commission in collaboration with Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) have begun massive advocacy and policy documentation for an increased nutrition budget and implementation of 6 months paid maternity leave in the State.

During a stakeholders consultative forum  and policy Dialogue held 11th June, 2024, at the conference room of the State Planning Commission, The Vice Chairman/CEO of the State Planning Commission, Mr Bong Duke, in his opening remark, restated Cross River State Government’s commitment to an increased Nutrition budget which had already begun with the increase of nutrition in the budget for 2024 from 30 million to 200 Million of which funds have been released.

The policy Dialogue which was put in place to secure commitment from policy makers and ensure adequate and prompt release for Nutrition in the state had in attendance, Government Officials, Representatives from ministries of the State Government, Civil society, Healthcare professionals, Lawmakers as well as relevant stakeholders.

The Special Adviser Budget to the Cross River State Government, Mr. Otu Otu ITA, who was present at the forum,  intimated that Cross River State Government activity is based on policies and that there is a policy on Nutrition in Cross River State and Government is fully committed to nutrition activities.

Also speaking Dr Josephat Ogar, The States Statistician General talked about the Nutrition policy and strategy plan given by UNICEF and the need to focus more on Nutrition based policies to improve the statistics of poverty in the state.

The Head of service, Dr Innocent Eteng, who was represented by his Permanent Secretary, Dr Mrs Atim Okokon informed that Majority of MDAs in the state have nutrition as part of their Budget as well as that Cross River State currently implements 4 Months paid  maternal leave in the service.

Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Mr. Okoronkwo Sunday also raise the alarm that despite the amount being Budgeted for and released for nutrition in Cross River State, The State still has a deficit of 98% in Nutrition funding in accordance with Global practice and emphasized the need for proper implementation of Governor Nutrition policies, Whole also emphasizing the critical role of the private sector.

In Response, the Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr. EGBE AYUK told stakeholders that there is already palliative Healthcare for children under 5, Pregnant women and vulnerable in the State which shows Government commitment to Nutrition and Health.

Also The Chairman House Committee on Health and member representing Boki State Constituency RT HON HILLARY BISONG assured of Lawmakers commitment to resolutions reached in passage of laws to encourage nutrition and 6 months paid maternity leave in Cross River State, this is as participants urged lawmakers to pass a law to enforce compulsory 6 months paid maternity leave and breastfeeding in Cross River State as well as the Government to create Crèche and breastfeeding centers in clusters of Ministries in Cross River State and provide strict enforcement measures to penalize defaulters.





At The end of the consultative forum participants resolved to:

1. support the extension of paid maternity leave from four months to six months in Cross River State.

2. Work closely with the CRSG to facilitate the necessary legislative amendments and to ensure smooth implementation of the extended maternal leave policy.

3. To put in place strategies to address severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) cases in the state.

4. Participants mandated The Technical working committee to urgently come up with a Robust strategy and roadmaps on how to identify treat and prevent existing cases

5. Participants mandated the Technical working committee to liaise with all nutrition line MDAs to come up with comprehensive nutrition awareness strategy in a bid to increase knowledge, Behavior and practice on Nutrition.

6. That ministry of agriculture in Conjunction with the state committee for food and nutrition to mainstream nutrition. 

7. That the school feeding programme must become a key vehicle for promoting nutrition among school aged children in the State.

8. Participants resolved that creches and lactating rooms be established within clusters of Government offices.

Participants showed commitment to taking the necessary actions to realize the benefits of this policy extension.

There where also various visit to Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Cross River State.

Executive Secretary of CS-SUNN, Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming and the Head of Department, Nutrition, State Planning Commission
Head of Department, Nutrition, State Planning Commission, BOT Chair of CS-SUNN, State Secretary, CS-SUNN (CRoss River State) and Permanent Secretary, State Planning Commission


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