DEPUTY GOVERNOR RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed a high-level delegation from Nutrition International, led by the organization’s Vice President of Program Operations, Dr. Paula Tanaglia.

The delegation was in Makueni to assess the progress of ongoing nutrition programs and more specific on Adolescent Health and Nutrition program that supports adolescent girls and boys in the county.

Nutrition International has partnered with Makueni County to implement a comprehensive health and nutrition program aimed at improving the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, newborns, children under five, and adolescents.

The Adolescent health and nutrition initiative involves a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Departments of Health Services, Teacher Service Commission and Gender by providing adolescents with Nutrition education and weekly iron and folic acid supplements (WIFS) to boost their feeding practices and avert anaemia and its symptoms among the girls.

The program is currently being implemented in 590 schools across the County.

Program coordinators reported significant improvements in adolescent health and nutrition, as well as enhanced academic performance among girls and a reduction in absenteeism in schools among others.

Mulili expressed her appreciation for the partnership and announced plans to increase budget allocations to expand the program further.

In addition to the nutrition initiative, Nutrition International has also partnered with the county to implement gender mainstreaming in adolescent health and nutrition, a program spearheaded by the deputy governor.

The initiative has been piloted in 20 schools across Kaiti, Makueni, Mbooni, and Kibwezi West sub-counties.

Dr. Paula Tanaglia, Nutrition International’s Vice President of Program Operations, expressed her delight at witnessing the positive impact the program has had on the children.