Health Sector Component of National Food and Nutrition Policy

A Policy outlines the health sector's operational plan for addressing malnutrition through facility-based interventions, community programs, and health worker training. It targets healthcare workers, pregnant and lactating women, children under five, and community health volunteers. This aims to reduce all forms of malnutrition in Nigeria by integrating interventions into routine health services.

What Is This Policy?

The health sector's operational plan within Nigeria's broader food and nutrition policy, detailing how the health system will address malnutrition through facility-based interventions, community nutrition programmes, and health worker training.

Who Does It Target?

Healthcare workers providing nutrition services Pregnant and lactating women Children under five years of age Community health volunteers and extension workers

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reduce all forms of malnutrition in Nigeria, including stunting, wasting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies, through health sector interventions integrated into routine health services.

Key Features

Facility-Based Nutrition: Integration of nutrition assessment, counselling, and support into maternal and child health services Community Management of Acute Malnutrition: Protocols for identifying and treating severe and moderate acute malnutrition Micronutrient Supplementation: Vitamin A, iron, zinc, and folic acid supplementation programmes Infant and Young Child Feeding: Support for exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding Health Worker Training: Capacity building for nutrition service delivery at facility and community levels

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active across health facilities providing maternal and child health services Coverage: Primary and secondary health facilities nationwide Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health, Nutrition Division Partners: UNICEF, WHO, WFP, development partners

How to Access

Nutrition services are available through primary healthcare facilities and community programmes. Visit the nearest primary healthcare centre for nutrition screening and services Community health workers provide outreach nutrition services Contact the Nutrition Division of the Federal Ministry of Health for programme information

Official Resources

Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Nutrition Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja

Legal Framework

Operates under the National Food and Nutrition Policy, the National Health Act 2014, and the National Policy on Food and Nutrition. Draws on the Child Rights Act 2003, the National Nutrition Strategic Plan, and World Health Organization nutritional guidelines adopted by Nigeria.