Chinedum Treasure
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has commenced screening, verification and enrolment of eligible beneficiaries for the National Community Food Bank (NCFB) Programme in Anambra state.
The exercise is being conducted at designated healthcare facilities serving as zonal centres across the three senatorial districts ahead of the official launch of the programme in the state on Sept. 10.
The designated centres are the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, for Anambra Central; Aku Ezinifite Primary Healthcare Centre, Aguata, for Anambra South and Basic PHC, Onitsha North, for Anambra North.
Speaking during the screening exercise on Wednesday in Amawbia, Dr Olatunde Adebiyi, Director of Nutrition, NPHCDA, said the exercise was targeted at children below six years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Adebiyi said the beneficiaries were being assessed to determine their nutritional status and eligibility for enrolment into the food bank programme.
“This is essential in ensuring that moderately malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers are identified and registered into the Anambra National Community Food Bank Programme.
“It is an initiative of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Toyin Afachung, Strategic Communication Specialist, NPHCDA, said the exercise was designed to identify nutritionally vulnerable women and children in communities across the state.
Afachung said the Anambra launch would be the sixth zonal launch of the NCFB Programme by the First Lady, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NPHCDA and the Bank of Agriculture.
“This marks the conclusion of the zonal launches across the country.
“The programme implementation is expected to extend to all 774 Local Government Areas across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“This initiative will contribute to better maternal and child nutrition outcomes in communities across the state,” she said.
Mrs Ogochukwu Odah, one of the beneficiaries, an indigene of Ebonyi Stare residing in Anambra, commended the initiative and described it as a source of succour and hope for vulnerable families.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Chinaecherem Obiora, from Nwagu in Dunukofia LGA, expressed appreciation for the intervention.
She said the programme would improve access to nutritious food for her and her children.
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