The Niger State Ministry for Primary Health Care has Niger trains health workers to boost response to child malnutrition launched a capacity-building programme aimed at addressing Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children through the training of healthcare workers in the state.

Speaking during a training session held at the State Training Centre, the Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana, said the initiative is designed to equip health personnel with the necessary skills for managing SAM cases in stabilisation centres across the state.

The training, conducted in collaboration with the Anrin 1.0 programme, focuses on inpatient care for children suffering from acute malnutrition.

According to Dr Dangana, the intervention aligns with the state’s broader health agenda. “The training is timely. It aligns with the New Niger Agenda of Muhammad Umaru Bago to enhance the capacity of healthcare professionals to combat the rising rates of acute malnutrition in the state,” he said.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mohammed Gana, who also addressed participants, noted that the state is taking a multisectoral approach to combat malnutrition and reiterated the government’s commitment to preparing frontline health workers to provide quality care for children in need.

State Nutrition Officer, Dtn. Asmau Mohammed Abubakar, emphasised the importance of involving caregivers in the treatment process. She said nutrition counselling for families is key to improving outcomes for children admitted to stabilisation centres.

Lead facilitator, Suleiman Abdullahi, explained that the training modules are drawn from World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. He said the sessions would cover the diagnosis and treatment of SAM, with the aim of standardizing care delivery across the state.

The ministry said the programme is one of several ongoing efforts to reduce child mortality and improve nutrition outcomes in Niger State.