Nigeria Is 2nd Among Countries With Highest Number Of Malnourished Children Globally

Too bad

Dr Uthman Mubashir, Kwara Coordinator of the Civil SocietyScaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), on Monday said about seven millionchildren in the country are malnourished. Mubashir told newsmen in Ilorin that two out of every three children are not properly fed. According to him, themortality rate due to malnutrition is high and running into two digits.


“With over 11 million stunted children, Nigeria isconfronted with the daunting challenge of malnutrition and ranks second behindIndia among countries with highest number of stunted children globally,” hesaid. The expert noted that children are mostly prone to malnutrition becauseof their young age. He said that micro-nutrient deficiencies, hidden to thenaked eyes, are pervasive throughout the country with vitamin A, zinc, iron,folic acid and iodine being the most common.



The nutritionist said he believed that public healthimportance was the prevalence cause for the rise of malnutrition, consisting ofpoor infant and child feeding practices. He listed other malnutrition driversto include lack of access to healthcare, water and sanitation, and high levelof poverty. Mubashir, however, pointed out that the money the government spenton fighting hunger and malnutrition was not commensurate to what was on ground.



He said that much had not been achieved in the fight againstchild malnutrition, stressing that death recorded from malnutrition is stillhigh. Mubashir urged stakeholders to adopt the National Strategic Plan ofAction for Nutrition. He added that malnutrition could be defeated through wellcoordinated and multi-sectoral approaches.


Vanguard

Posted by tboixy