By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo, has launched a natural food supplement known as 'Nonye's Healthy Living Pap' also known locally as 'Akamu' to solve the problem of child malnutrition in Anambra State.

The official launching of the product took place on Tuesday, 6th August 2024 at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka with health stakeholders and practitioners made up of WHO representatives, Ministry of Health, Community leaders, women, nursing mothers and youths all in attendance.

In her remarks shortly after unveiling of the product, Mrs Soludo stated that the launching of the PAP is one of the health project in the State whch harps on the importance of practising healthy living and feeding the right way for the total well-being of mothers, children and the family. The First Lady disclosed that Nonye's Healthy Living Pap is made of three vital ingredients comprising of corn, soyabean and groundnut which are rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3 and Iron.

Mrs Soludo also informed that the idea behind the journey is to rescue children with special nutritional needs having being aware of the prevalent protein deficiency among children in Nigeria caused by poor accessibility, unavailability and lack of affordable food items that are rich in protein, with the goal being to close the gap by providing all-round, effective intervention for homes and communities.

She further disclosed that as government continues to establish breakthrough strategies to completely beat malnutrition among children in the state, her NGO will provide intervention by supporting strategies to deliver effective results, taking note of the heavy impact of food insecurity, social and economic challenges on rural homes. 

Soludo's Wife said: "Months ago, before this idea was conceptualized, I had finished receiving a delegation from UNICEF. The central focus of that meeting was about tackling malnutrition among children in Anambra State. The revelations from UNICEF, alongside a valid will to make a difference, spurred us into action.

"Anambra State is known for her strong leadership presence in almost every national rating. Be it in education, health, trade and commerce, infrastructure, leadership, and human capital productivity, Anambra has maintained consistent records of excellence and peerlessness. Today, we are here to continue in that line of history - this time for a course that matters so much to humanity. 

"I'm super proud of what we have achieved in this tasking journey. The build-up to the result before us today demanded a lot from us. As an NGO that is basically self-funded, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative took up this challenge, knowing at the back of our minds that we can actually make a long-term difference with the little effort. Again, this is another testament to the fact that if you can dream it, you can achieve it. This incredible journey, which was conceptualized over a small dining table, has become a historical reality," Anambra First Lady said.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike affirmed that the aim of the programme occasioned by the launching of the natural food supplement is to ensure the total well-being and health of expectant mothers, mothers, newborn babies, children within the age bracket of one to five and teenagers. 

The Health Commissioner informed that a seamless distribution pattern for the product distribution across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State has been developed and will be well implemented.  Obidike stated that the Soludo led-administration has established various programmes, infrastructure and manpower development to support healthy pregnancies and ensure that mothers and babies remain healthy.

On their part, the two resource persons, Mrs Jane Umeugo (a consultant nutritionist) and Dr. Chioma Mbachu (a consultant paediatrician) buttressed the importance of food with high nutritional values for infants. The Health Practitioners disclosed that the new product by the first lady of the state will tackle malnutrition in children with the provision of protein, fibre, zinc, fats and carbohydrates.

Others who attested to the nutritional values of the new products were the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Ify Obinabo; the Provost, College of Health Science Obosi, Dr. Dan Ezeobi and the National President of Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU), Barrister Titus Akpudo.

Highpoints of the occasion was the official unveiling and presentation of the product's cartons to representatives of each of the 21 local government areas for easy access to the food supplement.