The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has inaugurated a Community Infant and Young Child Feeding, C-IYCF programme in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
UNICEF Kaduna Nutrition Specialist Chinwe Ezeife described the programme as a preventive programme against all kinds of malnutrition among children under five years, through a community-based approach.
She explained that under the programme, health workers and community volunteers would educate and enlighten mothers and caregivers on benefits of good feeding practices.
Ezeife noted that the aim of the programme was to promote the use of locally available nutritious food items for the feeding of children who are less than five years of age. According the nutritionist, C-IYCF ensures a strong start in life for children, through early initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.
Master Trainer on Community Infant and Young Child Feeding Counseling Package, Chinyere Ekwueme, told newsmen that 25 health workers and seven local government officials were undergoing the training.
