In a bid to increase the nutrition level of the citizens in the West African sub-region, the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO has called on member states to increase funding for nutrition in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 by 2030 in the region.
Dr. Melchior Athanase, Director General, WAHO made this call in Abuja at the 17th ECOWAS Nutrition Forum (ENF). The ECOWAS Nutrition Forum is a regional platform that brings together the key stakeholders in the nutrition sector to appraise policies, practices and progress in decreasing malnutrition and diet-related diseases in the sub-region.
“This is what justifies the choice of the theme of this forum: “Leveraging sustainable financing for multisectoral approaches: accelerating universal access to nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable diets,” he said.
Speaking on the theme: “Leveraging Sustainable Financing for Multisectoral Approaches: Accelerate Universal Access to Nutritious, Safe, Affordable and Sustainable Diets,” Dr. Athanase said that the 2030 agenda of SDGs has compelled the region to increase its effort for the financing of nutrition which must be one of the priorities of all member states.
Dr. Athanase added that the present framework of exchanges that the forum offers the region would allow the genius creators for relevant analyses of the limits of good nutrition which would help in preparing pragmatic proposals expected, on innovations and original financing mechanisms.
“This theme is an opportunity to evaluate the practices of collaborations with innovative and functional multi-sector approaches which will finally lead to a synergy of action for lasting effects that should lead to a significant impact on the funding of nutritional interventions.
Dr. Athanase added that the right to adequate nutrition is one of the human rights recognized by the UN which ECOWAS represents in this fight against malnutrition in all its ramifications.
“We will also need a strong coordination of direction and prioritization of investments for food and nutritional security with fairness and justice towards our populations for the establishment of a real ECOWAS of the peoples,” Athanase said.
Almost 250 nutritionists from across the ECOWAS region participated in the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to strengthen multi-sectoral partnership in order to improve funding and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for nutrition.
The forum was an opportunity to examine innovative multi-sectoral partnership that will promote action and sustainable financing for nutrition interventions.