Nutrition and focal persons in Plateau, on Thursday, identified inadequate funding as the major obstacle to the ongoing fight against malnutrition.

Some of the focal persons spoke during a symposium on Wednesday organised by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for Local Government Areas in the central zone of the state held in Pankshin.

The symposium aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges affecting the ongoing fight against child and maternal malnutrition across the country.

Victoria Yohanna, the nutrition focal person for Bokkos LGA, said funding had been a major challenge,, but they pulled through and achieved the needed results.

Rebecca Kudaru, the nutrition focal person for Pankshin LGA, decried the local administration’s failure to release funds for malnutrition treatment.

According to her, lack of funds had affected efforts to reach out to malnourished children with the supplements and possible treatment.

Istifanus Jarum, the nutrition focal person for Kanke LGA, said funds were rarely released to convey supplements and other consumables from Jos to the locality. He said that the lack of adequate funding had prevented health personnel from performing their duties optimally.

“Recently, one of the directors used her personal funds to move the medication from Jos to the two facilities in Kanke. We can’t function well without adequate funding,” he said.

Caroline Dalyop, the nutrition focal person for Mangu LGA, called on the government at all levels to make funds available to tackle malnutrition in the state.

Ado Ishaya, the nutrition officer of Kanam LGA, said the local government administered the medication across the locality.

He said the feat was possible because of the support of traditional rulers and community leaders.

Ephraim Usman, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, called on council chairpersons to prioritise the fight against maternal and child malnutrition.

Mr Usman promised to ensure that inadequate funding gets the desired government attention.

John Dasar, the deputy chairman of Pankshin LGA, advised that budgeted funds for malnutrition should be credited straight to the committees for easy access.

Jika Golit, the Ngolo Ngas and chairman of the Pankshin Traditional Council, also called on the government to be proactive in ending maternal and child malnutrition.

(NAN)