FCTA, UNICEF Launch Lifeline Project to Shield Thousands of Children from Malnutrition Threat
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in partnership with UNICEF and the United States Department of State, has launched a maternal and child health project aimed at protecting children from the effects of malnutrition during their earliest years.
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Umbrella Grant Project focuses on the first 1,000 days of life, a period considered critical for a child’s physical growth, brain development and overall wellbeing.
The initiative will support pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under two years by improving access to nutrition services, strengthening healthcare systems and promoting safe feeding practices.
Speaking at the project’s launch in Abuja, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the programme would strengthen child protection through better nutrition governance, community awareness and improved support for families.
She noted that some communities still face nutrition challenges due to poor feeding habits and limited knowledge about child health.
UNICEF Nutrition Manager, Sumit Karn, said the project would help prevent malnutrition, reduce stunting and improve child survival through evidence-based interventions.
The programme will also strengthen frontline health workers, improve data collection and encourage communities to adopt healthier practices that safeguard children’s development.
Stakeholders said protecting children from malnutrition remains essential to building healthier communities and securing a better future for the next generation.
