A partnership involving the Nigerian federal health ministry, Groupe Speciale Mobile Association, (GSMA), and telecoms operators, has resulted in the berth of a programme that seeks to tackle malnutrition in Nigeria.
By collaborating with its partners, Nigerian government has made it possible to use mobile phonesto tackle malnutrition in Nigeria.
At the official launch of the government’s mNutrition Programme in Abuja, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, revealed that several countries have been able to increase citizens’ access and nutritional services by delivering effective messages through mobile phones.
“Such messages typically focus on educational content geared towards improving nutritional practices such as the promotion of balanced diets, basic steps for improving nutritional content of locally available foods, encouraging exclusive breastfeeding of infants, and safe and appropriate complementary feeding of infants and young children,” he said.
Also at the event, The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, revealed that the operator remains passionate about Nigerians and their health and this spurred the partnership. And in his own remark, GSMA’s mHealth Market Engagement Manager, Victor Ohuruogu, said the mNutrition initiative entails deploying mobile and wireless technology to support health and nutrition outcomes.
