SPRING/Nigeria organized a five-day facility infant and young child feeding (F-IYCF) training to strengthen the capacity of health workers in secondary and tertiary health facilities in Otukpo, Benue State. The F-IYCF training, formally launched in August 2013, in conjunction with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, is aimed at strengthening the capacity of tertiary and secondary health facilities to improve the delivery of nutrition services to pregnant women and children within the 1,000 days window (from conception through 24 months). The F-IYCF package—which included a trainers’ manual, counseling cards, a key message booklet, participant materials, and four take-home brochures—was intended to ensure uniform training and information sharing throughout Nigeria.
During the training, trainees visited a local health facility to gain “hands on” experience. As a result of the training, the participants acquired increased and up-to-date information that they can now relay to their patients to improve nutritional outcomes throughout Nigeria.