From Mu’awiyya Bala Idris Katsina
The Katsina State Government has commenced the statewide implementation of the 2026 Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) Nutrition Survey with the deployment of trained enumerators to all 34 Local Government Areas.
The survey is designed to generate reliable and up-to-date data that will guide evidence-based health and nutrition policies, strengthen interventions, and improve the wellbeing of children, women, and other vulnerable groups across the state.
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Before their deployment, the enumerators underwent a comprehensive five-day training programme to equip them with the skills required to collect quality data in line with internationally approved SMART survey methodology.
The State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Musa Adamu Funtua, monitored the field exercise during an inspection visit to Katsina Local Government Area, where he assessed the performance of the survey teams and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving health and nutrition outcomes through credible data.
Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner emphasized that accurate and reliable statistics are essential for effective planning, policy formulation, and resource allocation. He noted that the survey findings would enable the government to identify nutrition challenges and implement targeted interventions that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
Hon. Funtua reiterated the commitment of the administration to strengthening the health and nutrition sector through evidence-based programmes, particularly those focused on children under five years of age, pregnant and lactating women, and other vulnerable groups.
He also highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Katsina State Government, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other development partners in combating malnutrition and improving public health across the state.
During the inspection, the Statistician-General of Katsina State, Professor Saifullahi Sani Matazu, briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the survey and the activities of the field teams.
Professor Matazu explained that the survey is expected to generate timely, credible, and high-quality data to support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and effective implementation of nutrition and healthcare programmes.
He urged all enumerators to maintain professionalism, accuracy, and strict adherence to the approved survey methodology to ensure the credibility and usefulness of the findings.
The 2026 SMART Nutrition Survey is being implemented by the Katsina State Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Katsina State Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and other development partners.
The survey will assess critical nutrition and health indicators, including wasting, stunting, and underweight among children aged 0–59 months, maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding practices, childhood morbidity and mortality, health-seeking behaviour, as well as household water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions.
UNICEF has commended the Katsina State Government for its commitment to generating reliable nutrition data and promoting evidence-based interventions. The organisation also reaffirmed its continued support for the successful implementation of the SMART Nutrition Survey.
The outcome of the survey is expected to provide a strong evidence base for improving nutrition programmes, prioritising investments in vulnerable communities, and strengthening healthcare interventions throughout Katsina State.
