The project is being funded by the World bank group through the Kaduna state government and is being implemented by an eHA led consortium. The consortium member organizations include eHealth Africa foundations, Society for Women Development and Empowerment in Nigeria (SWODEN),  Middle Space Concepts (MIDSPACE), and The Busara Center for Behavioral Economics (Busara).

Nigeria has very high rates of malnutrition that are unevenly spread across the country. Two out of every five (44 percent) children under five years of age suffer from chronic malnutrition. This translates into 14.5 million Nigerian children at risk of either dying or not developing to their full potential. Micronutrient deficiencies– mainly in vitamin A, iodine, iron, folic acid and zinc – are a serious problem and despite their high cost-effectiveness, coverage rates of micronutrient supplementation and fortification remain generally low. It is estimated that 30 percent of Nigerian children and 20 percent of pregnant women are vitamin A deficient, while 76 percent of children and 67 percent of pregnant women are anemic.

 The ANRiN project aims to provide BPNS and AHS services in half of Kaduna State according to established and agreed targets (for quality and coverage) to reduce the level of malnutrition in the state of Kaduna. 

The project will also improve knowledge, attitudes and practices towards infant and young child feeding (IYCF), improve maternal nutrition as well as decrease low birth weight and associated morbidities.

Key outcomes

• Increased management and control of micronutrient deficiency

• Increased awareness and utilization of adolescent health services

• Improved maternal nutrition, decreased low birth weight, and associated morbidities

• Increased capacity of health workers in delivering AHS and NS

This project will be delivered in partnership with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health.

eHA led consortium will achieve these outcomes by delivering the following services in the targeted LGAs of Kaduna state;

• Provide targeted messages on Maternal nutrition, early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and continuous breastfeeding up to 2 years or above to pregnant and lactating women

• Distribute deworming tablets to children 12-59 months

• Distribute Vitamin A supplementation to prevent infections and death in children 6-59 months

• Distribute Micronutrient powder to prevent deficiencies in children 6-23 months

• Distribute ZInc ORS for prompt treatment of diarrhea in children 6-59months

• Distribute IFA supplement for the prevention of anemia to pregnant women

• Manage the procurement and warehouse for the project commodities and pharmaceuticals

• Manage the supply chain, delivery of project commodities and pharmaceuticals to the last mile pick-up points - health facilities and PPMVs etc

• Conduct capacity building for Community Volunteers, Community Health Workers, Traditional Birth Attendants, Peer Educators, and Support Group Facilitators on adolescent health service (AHS) and basic package of nutrition services (BPNS) delivery.