Nutrition International has resolved to support Sokoto State in its quest to have improved data quality to enhance the implementation of nutritional programmes in the state.
Oyedeji Abayomi, Sokoto State Coordinator, Nutrition International, who stated this at a one-day meeting with officials of the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, SSPHCDA, reiterated that it is not a big price to revisit previous data captured.
The objectives of the meeting, according to the state coordinator, are to disseminate key findings of the routine data quality assessment done by the state government and the findings used to make decisions to support the nutrition programme in the state.
Recommendations are also expected to be made based on the findings and how those recommendations will be used to improve programming in the state.
According to Abayomi, “We observe that most of the data are incomplete. Nutrition indicators are poorly captured, and for us, whatever is not documented is not done concerning nutrition in the whole state.
“A lot of partners are working in the nutrition thematic areas, but collating the data is where the issue is, and Nutrition International is looking at areas to support the state with improved data quality.
“Once we have enhanced data quality, you can rest assured of improved implementation of nutritional programmes in the state.
“It is not much of a price to revisit previous data captured, especially in our areas of focus, which are pregnant women and children. Here, we are making a lot of progress, but lack of adequate data capture is hampering our ability to make categorical and accurate decisions.”
As a clear departure from what was obtainable in the past, the state coordinator further explained their resolve to start with the routine data assessment and plan on a quarterly basis to achieve maximum changes to bridge the invisible bridges.
In his brief remarks, the state nutrition officer, Dr Nasiru Umar, admonished participants at the one-day meeting to step up on their job for the benefit of the people.
