AK To Host 2010 National Nutrition Conference

The State government says it is prepared to host the 2010 National Nutrition Networking conference schedule for October, in the State.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Louisa Ukpeh, dropped the hint when a joint team from the National Planning Commission, Abuja, UNICEF, and the State Committee on Food and Nutrition visited her in Uyo recently.
Dr. Ukpeh, who expressed appreciation to the National body for selecting Akwa Ibom for the conference gave the assurance that they will not be disappointed in the choice of Akwa Ibom and equally thanked UNICEF for the immense support offered the state in the areas of immunization, reproductive health and other health programmes.
She pointed out that so much transformation has taken place in all the sectors in Akwa Ibom particularly the health sector through the enabling environment created within 3 years of the present administration, adding that the national event would enable the State to showcase more of its laudable programmes.
Dr. Ukpeh called on the Local Organizing Committee and other partners concern to play their roles effectively to ensure the successful hosting of the event which she noted would provide opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to scale up positive activities relating to nutrition in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman, National Planning Commission, Mr. Jeminiwa Charles, said the visit was to help supervise and ascertain the level of preparedness in the State by the LOC and also solicit support from the State Ministry of Health as a major partner in the activities of nutrition in the State.
Mr. Charles said the national event instituted in 1989 is meant to create a forum for stakeholders to meet, discuss and update their skills on the way forward.
Also speaking, a UNICEF nutrition specialist, Dr. Sylvester Igbedioh, who appreciated the State government for supporting UNICEF programmes in the state expressed optimism that given the level of infrastructural development so far recorded in the state, the conference would be a success.
Among those present at the occasion were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Nestor Udoh, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ebuk, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Emmanuel Ekong, the representative of the State Nutrition Officer, Pastor Victor Bassey, the Chairperson, State Committee on Food and Nutrition, Dr. Lucy Eboh, Dr. Nkoyo Isong, and others.