UK Development Minister Announces Support For Nutrition And Family Planning In Nigeria

26 June 2011

The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has announced two major new six-year programmes to build on the UK Government’s existing health portfolio in Nigeria.
UK Development Minister Announces Support For Nutrition And Family Planning In Nigeria


Ministerial Announcement:

The UK Government is committed to improving the health of Nigerian women and children. The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has announced two major new six-year programmes to build on the UK Government’s existing health portfolio in Nigeria. A programme to prevent malnutrition for six million children in Northern Nigeria. And a family planning programme which will help one million couples each year who wish to delay or space their families.

The UK Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell announced today in Abuja two new programmes. A family planning programme will provide couples increased choice and improved access to modern contraceptives. A nutrition programme will provide essential micronutrients, breast-feeding support and treatment for severe malnutrition amongst women and children. These new programmes are part of the UK’s global efforts to stop 10 million children from going hungry and enable 10 million women to use modern family planning.

There is an urgent need for nutrition support and family planning in Nigeria. Nigeria is one of six countries that together account for half of all child deaths from malnutrition worldwide. 10% of all children who die under the age of 5 worldwide are Nigerian. Only 10% of women currently use modern family planning, substantially lower than the average for sub-Saharan Africa. Modern family planning can reduce maternal deaths and provide women with choices to space their children.

The two new programmes are fully aligned with Nigeria’s Development Plans. Nigeria’s National Strategic Health Development Plan (2010) has ambitious targets to increase contraceptive prevalence rates and reduce malnutrition. A recent announcement to remove fees for family planning services in public health facilities illustrates Nigeria’s commitment to women’s health.

DFID will work with the Nigerian government, UNICEF and international NGO partners to deliver the new £50 million nutrition programme through the community and health sector in states most affected by malnutrition. These states are in northern Nigeria. DFID will work with Nigerian government and UNFPA to provide £18 million of family planning products through public health centres nationwide.

The new programmes add to DFID’s existing substantial health portfolio in Nigeria, including health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, Malaria and HIV.

In announcing the new plans, Mr Mitchell said ‘I am pleased to support these two important programmes which will improve the lives and health of Nigerian women and children. This additional UK aid support will add further energy to Nigeria’s efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals.’

Notes for Editors:

Mr Andrew Mitchell is a Cabinet Minister in the UK Government, as Secretary of State for International Development.

Mr Mitchell is in Nigeria to step up bilateral relations in the aftermath of the recent successful elections and announce new commitments of UK aid to Nigeria. His visit includes calls and visits to UK aid projects.

UK aid is delivered by the Department for International Development (DFID). UK aid to Nigeria will help government improve infrastructure, improve the environment for business, create new jobs and raise the incomes of 600,000 people; it will improve nutrition for 6 million children, give nearly 3 million people access to safer water and sanitation, and provide 800,000 children with education.


DFID Nigeria, British High Commission Abuja
24 June 2011

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=PressR&id=621811082