Nutrition experts from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, South west Nigeria have visited Obada/Ipodo community in Lagos to enlighten residents on the importance of eating healthy and balanced diets in a bid to promote better nutrition and combat malnutrition. The initiative, which was sponsored by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was part of measures to cushion the effect of the economic crunch affecting the nation at large. The outreach themed ‘’Beyond the Table’ featured different programmes that include nutrition assessment/education, food demonstration, dietary talk, nutrition sensitization, incentives for caregivers and complementary foods for children and the elderly.
The Head of the Dietetics & Nutrition Department, LASUTH, Ms Titilayo Omodudu, explained that the outreach stemmed out of the food & nutrition policy of Lagos State, which hinges on the fact that there should be a multi-sectional approach strategy to issues of nutrition in the state She noted that the outreach is aimed at ensuring that residents of Lagos enjoy optimal nutrition on all levels, ranging from households to communities to local government and state levels. Omodudu said the focus of the outreach is to ensure optimal nutrition for vulnerable groups in society – children, adolescent mothers, the aged and other classes of people with special dietary needs. She assured that the government is committed to reducing malnutrition to the barest minimum, especially among those under five. Omodudu appreciated the effort of the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo and the Management of LASUTH for their support in making the outreach a reality.
The Deputy Director, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and a member of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, Mrs Aderemi Faleye, appreciated the Governor for the financial support as well as the management of LASUTH, for organising such an impactful programme. Similarly, an Assistant Director of Nutrition at LASUTH and desk officer representing the hospital at the State Committee Of Food & Nutrition, Mrs Adetutu Oladeinde said the Lagos State Government developed a budget line for nutrition in 14 ministries because nutrition is a multisectoral discipline that cut across all professions. She lamented that there is hunger and malnutrition in the nation, adding that the outreach to give incentives to the market women and children under 5 years of age would help curb malnutrition in the state and provide food security. While responding, the Iyaoloja of Obada Market, Mrs Abiodun Apena, expressed appreciation on behalf of the community to the organisers for the outreach. She stressed that the programme is of great value to the people in the market and encouraged all present to practice all they have been taught.
