Nestle intensifies fight against malnutrition, trains health workers in Ogun

As part of efforts to fight nutrients deficiency in the country, especially among infant population which accounts for stunted growth, cognitive impairment and anaemia, Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa has intensified training and empowerment of health workers across the country with a view to fighting malnutrition and nutrients deficiency in Nigeria.

The global health and wellness firm – Nestle Nigeria PLC, organised a two-day Nutrition Academy for scores of health workers, paediatricians and other health personnel drawn from various primary and secondary health centres across Ogun state where main clinical issues as regards malnutrition as well as nutrients deficiency among infants were discussed and the solutions were also proffered by experts in attendance.

Speaking at the Nutrition Academy organised by Ogun State Ministry of Health in conjunction with Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa held in Abeokuta recently, Chioma Emma-Nwachuckwu, Coordinator of Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa in Anglophone Central and West African Countries, declared that Nestle Nigeria organised “the training in line with the vision we have set for ourselves, here in Africa, we have our children dying young, we’ve a lot of challenges in that area.

“That is why Nestle has to the African continent where our people will live healthier and longer and not dying young. We are organising this training in 22 Countries of both Anglophone and Francophone African Countries. 12 of such are being held in Anglophone Countries, we have done 11 and reamians one.

One of the trainers, Morufat Ogundeyi, Consultant Paediatrician and Head, Paediatrics, Fedeal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, noted that the clinical training was apt and would address health challenges as regards malnutrition and nutrients deficiency which she said, contributed to low reasoning, thinking and productivity of man that affects gross domestic product and brings poverty.

Also, Bamidele Bashorun, Chief Nursing Officer in Paediatrics Department, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, solicited for constant and adequate information as regards what constitutes healthy and nutritious diets, saying expectant women and nursing mothers as well as care givers must be well informed on what is needed to boost man’s diets.

RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta