Over $100 million required to curb malnutrition in Nigeria- Experts

Health experts have estimated that over $100 million is required to tackle the prevailing trend of malnutrition in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

The experts further worry that the Federal government has remained complacent and uncommitted to the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria.

Davis Bamidele, Nutrition Consultant, speaking at media dialogue on child malnutrition in the North East, organised by the United Nations Children’s fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the child rights information bureau of the Federal ministry of information and culture held in Yola, stated that children malnutrition in Nigeria is prevalence in the northern region, with over 25 million under 5 children suffering from malnutrition while over 10 million affected by stunted growth.

He said “The situation and indices of malnutrition in the North Eastern part of Nigeria remains precarious, the under five mortality rate in these areas exceeds the threshold of 10,000 deaths recorded among children under the age of five daily”.

He further explained that insurgency, poverty, lack of education, gender issues amongst others are the drivers of the malnutrition in the region. “Insurgency in the region maybe seen as the major driver of malnutrition as it has over the years led to high good insecurity, negative coping strategies, increased spread if endemic diseases and destruction of access to quality water and optimal sanitation”, he added.

Bamidele speaking further, said that lack of care and show of love is also an important factor to consider in the fight against malnutrition, adding that most infancy deaths results from lack of
care from parents.

He also said the government over the period has been lackadaisical in its intervention towards combating malnutrition in Nigeria especially in the North East.

“The government is not committed to controlling malnutrition in Nigeria, not all funds allocated for this course are released and the funds released often come late, and this hinders the effective usage and tracking of the funds”.

Bamidele, speaking further noted that there is need for the government to commit more resources to nutrition, adding that adequate investment in nutrition fosters human and national development of any nation.

“The government need to reorder its priorities, development as we know is more about human beings hence they should be given the attention they deserve”.

Olumide Osanyinpeju, deputy director, Child rights Information Bureau, ministry of information and culture, stressed that combating malnutrition is imperative to the control of infant mortality in Nigeria, adding that concerned effort is required to ensure total eradication of malnutrition in Nigeria.

He said “Malnutrition is a large burden to a country, and tackling malnutrition entails empowering and educating the people. Also improved nutrition is the key to improved National and human development”.

“Addressing nutrition is one of the ways sustainable development goals can be achieved, therefore investment in nutrition will help reduce the trend of malnutrition which had been ensured by the creation of this dialogue”.

Speaking further, Osanyinpeju, stressed on the need for improved food security both at the national, community and household levels, adding that total elimination of malnutrition among infants and children, adolescent and women of reproductive age is significant to reducing deficiency disorder.
Martin Jackson, Nutrition officer, UNICEF stressed on the need for more governmental intervention to encourage wider coverage of the affected population adding that there is a continuous rise in infant mortality arising from issues relating to malnutrition.

Jackson said that UNICEF has often time collaborated with several donors such Action against Hunger, world food program and the Federal government to address issues relating to health, Nutrition, child protection, food and security.

“The government should provide more support to ensure a wider coverage of states and local government affected. There is still poor coverage of programs targeting children with moderate acute malnutrition”.

According to him, the projected interventions in 2018 include; reaching out to 43,952 children affected by severe acute malnutrition with medical complications; strengthen 65 stabilization centre; reach out to 502,528 children affected by mild acute malnutrition in the North East amongst others.

Cynthia Egboboh, Abuja.