By: Haruna Kuyateh
National Nutrition Agency yesterday commenced a four days trainers and supervisors training for community health nurses (CHNs) and fifty village health services on the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI).
The four days training is ongoing at the Mansa Wally Lodge, Lower River Region. The VHSs and CHNs trainees will serve as trainers and supervisors of the village support groups on the BFCI.
The training focuses on maternal nutrition, IYCF, environmental and personal hygiene and growth monitoring and promotion.
Bakary Jallow, Director of Programmes at the National Nutrition Agency dilated on the significant role of Community Health Nurses in strengthening Village Health Service to bring about sustainable behaviour on nutrition and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.
Mr. Jallow described nutrition as a foundation and building block and noted that 100 days should be respected from pregnancy and 1st two years of childbirth.
He noted that promoting and protecting human nutrition is critical while noting that investment in nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding contributed to the reduction of malnutrition by 70% citing the 2015 DHIS.
The Programme Director hailed CHNs and other partners for their unflinching support in promoting nutrition uptake among women and children.
While assuring them that the training will help to build capacity on nutrition and noted that NaNA fully recognized the contribution.
He added that working with the Village Support Group (VSG) will continue to trigger the participatory implementation of health-related programmes to enhance nutritional supplementation and the health of women and children.
Fatoumata Drammeh, Senior Programme Officer at the NaNA said promoting breastfeeding is crucial in enhancing child growth and development. She noted that giant efforts registered by the Gambia on exclusive breastfeeding and nutrition should be consolidated and enhanced.
Madam Drammeh reiterated that the implementation of 10 steps in advancing the Baby Friendly Community Initiative is important while she challenged participants to be proactive in working with Village Support Groups and institutions.
Alieu Kujabi, the Programme Manager called on participants to be committed to the transfer of skills and knowledge in bridging gaps to enhance effective community participation.
The concept of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) is to encourage only breast milk which is best for young Infants and Children up to 6 months, he added.
Musa Dahaba, Senior Programme Officer said more is needed regarding late initiation of breastfeeding and wrong belief on the use of colostrum. He noted that low exclusive breastfeeding remains a challenge in the past whiles breast milk helps keep baby healthy
