Nigeria acknowledges malnutrition is a chronic national problem
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigeria has the highest malnutrition rate in Africa with more than 17 million suffering from the disease, as acknowledged by both the government and Nutrition International (NI), a global nutrition organisation.
The confirmation was made in Abuja at a meeting which disseminated findings of home fortification implementation research using Small Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS).
Health Minister Osagie Ehanire, represented at the meeting by the ministry’s Health and Nutrition Director, Binyerem Ukaire, said malnutrition remains a significant public health problem despite huge investments.
He listed the major underlying causes in Nigeria to include poor infant and young child feeding practices, poor access to and consumption of safe nutritious diet rich in both macro and micronutrients, inadequate access to healthcare, water, and sanitation, and high level poverty.
“The federal government of Nigeria has made concerted effort in collaboration with development partners to reduce the burden of malnutrition in the country,” Ehanire disclosed.
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Malnutrition a chronic national problem
NI Nigeria Country Director Osita Okonkwo warned malnutrition is a chronic national problem that needs urgent attention, per reporting by Vanguard.
He said the implementation fidelity of the project is high with appropriate targeting of poor households with under-five children as beneficiaries and appropriateness of the intervention context.
Okonkwo disclosed the perception of caregivers is improving, with increasing duration of the intervention and acceptability of MNPs by children and caregivers generally high.
He said key drivers of adherence include perceived improvements in health, appetite, strength, and physical growth of index children benefits.
According to him, Integrated Community Outreach Clinics have demonstrable potential, capacity, and acceptability to distribute MNPs and other nutrition commodities.
But he stressed supervision and logistics supply need be strengthened to ensure the teams deliver the commodity according to plan.
“Similarly, improved engagement with other stakeholders such as community gatekeepers and household heads can increase acceptability and utilization of MNP in households,” Okonkwo said.
