Cross River State Government has validated its domesticated 5-Year Nutrition Roadmap, a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming the nutritional well-being of citizens.
Pending formal executive assent, the plan is set to drive improvements in health outcomes and overall development.
The validation exercise, held at Dannic Hotels in Calabar recently, convened key stakeholders including healthcare professionals, caregivers, and officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)—to endorse the policy frameworks that will guide nutrition programmes and behavioral change initiatives across all 18 local government areas.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, emphasized that the State’s priority is moving beyond paperwork to tangible results, stressing that the roadmap focuses on critical interventions: infant and young child feeding, micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition education.
"The success of this exercise will be evaluated not by the quality of the documents produced, but by their execution and the tangible impact on our citizens," Dr. Ayuk stated.
He warned against letting the strategies "languish on shelves," urging stakeholders to transform them into actionable plans with measurable outcomes.
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction that specific action points were assigned to institutions with clear timelines to ensure accountability. This move, he noted, reflects the state government’s shift toward results-driven governance at the community level.
Dr. Ayuk highlighted that tackling malnutrition requires a holistic approach, including maternal care, improved household practices, and fortified health systems, specifically pointing to Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) as a vital tool for promoting positive habits through culturally relevant messaging.
The Commissioner also reported significant progress in the state’s health metrics to include reductions in child stunting rates. improved immunization coverage and enhanced maternal healthcare services.
He added that as another milestone achievement, all 196 wards in the State now have at least one trained healthcare worker or midwife.
While celebrating these gains, Dr. Ayuk cautioned against complacency, reiterating the State’s goal to become a national leader in healthcare by 2027.
He extended gratitude to development partners, specifically UNICEF, for their continued support in strengthening regional health outcomes.
On her part, the Director General of the Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, noted that the workshop was essential for connecting high-level policy with grassroots delivery, stressing that,
"Primary healthcare serves as the frontline,"
"We are committed to ensuring these strategies are effectively implemented in facilities and communities statewide by adapting national strategies to our specific socio-cultural context," the DG added
The high-level technical meeting was organized by the Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the State Ministry of Health, with technical support from UNICEF.
Nakanda Iyadim
