The First National Nutrition Day Forum organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Helen Keller International and partners has successfully ended at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown.

Minster of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Abator Thomas

Speaking on the theme: “Improving Nutrition for Development”, the Minster of Health and Sanitation, Mrs. Abator Thomas underscored the importance WAHO attaches to the event, describing it as a special day dedicated to health in the ECOWAS region. This day the Minister added, was also meant to sensitize the entire population about nutrition issues, and actions taken to prevent malnutrition in the country

Mrs. Thomas observed that nutrition  is not only necessary to maintain good health, especially in children but also a requirement for development.

She said for a country to achieve its necessary nutritional status, goals, and the objectives, the components must be incorporated in its national policies, and sectoral  plans. This, the minister said should include programmes and projects in the area of food, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, water and sanitation, education and social welfare.

Mrs. Thomas called for a wide spread education awareness campaign noting that it would serve as an essential element for what she referred to as a well nourished society and called    for the collaboration with Universities and Research institutions, the Media, Health care, Community education, NGOS, and other key players.

The UNICEF Representative, Geert Capealare, observed that complimentary feeding given to infant is disproportional, as it consists mainly of carbohydrate low protein and micro nutrients, adding that by the age of 12 years most of the damage to children’s health, growth and development is done, and the chances of recovery are minimal.  

Mr. Capealare on behalf of the UN country team commended the Ministry of Health and government for the invaluable role in championing the course of children,  ensuring that child survival and maternal health are given top priority in national development agenda.

 The WAHO ECOWAS  Nutrition and Child Survival Officer, Dr. Ismael Thiam disclosed that the Forum for nutrition and Food Security in West Africa will be Hosted in Sierra Leone next year 2008.

He said the ECOWAS National Network which started in 1996 has its focus on experience sharing in nutrition activities, and programmes implemented at country level. 

Dilating on the  Network’s Action Plan, Dr. Thiam encouraged countries to establish multi sectoral networks with a view to strengthening advocacy, improve communication between focal points partners and WAHO through Information Technology.

He told his audience that it is now a consensus that Nutrition should no longer be seen as a public health problem but a social and economic matter.

National Programme Manager Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Miss Sylvetta Scott

Other speakers included the National Programme Manager Food  and Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Miss Sylvetta Scott who presented Results of the 2007 rapid Nutritional  Status assessment sharing a drop on chronic Malnutrition among under Five Children, and the Chief Medical officer and Chairman for the occasion, Dr. Arthur Williams who advocated for a multi sectoral approach, stressing the need for the involvement of ministries of Marine Resources, agriculture, Education and other health nutrition related partners in the private Sector.