Effort to tackle acute malnutrition in Bauchi State has receive a boost with the establishment of six additional Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAN) site by The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Community Management of Acute Malnutrion was only initiated in three local government areas, Dambam, Kirfi and Katagum.
The new six CMAN local goverments are Bauchi, Darazo, Itas Gadu, Warji, Gamawa and Tafawa Balewa.
This was disclosed in Bauchi on Wednesday by the Chief of field office, UNICEF Bauchi, Abdulai Kai-Kai.
He spoke during the flag-off of CMAN site which is part of the programme to commemorate this year’s breast feeding week organized by UNICEF in collaboration with Bauchi State Government and Bauchi State chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists.
According to Kaiaka, 11 million children under five are malnourished in Nigeria, adding that the level of exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria is only 17 percent, meaning that at least 5.4 million children miss out on its benefits, contributing to the country problem of chronic child malnutrition.
Kaikai, who was represented by by UNICEF Nutrition Specialist in Bauchi, Philomena Irena, commended the Bauchi State government for its support in tackling acute malnutrition in the state.
On exclusive breastfeeding, Kaikai said that delaying breastfeeding by 2-23 hours after birth increases risk of dying in the first 28 days of a baby’s life by 40 percent.
“Knowledge about importance of exclusive breastfeeding is low in Nigeria. In parts of the country, only about 25% of mothers know that new born babies should be given only breast milk in the first six months of life. Many think incorrectly that babies should be given breast milk alone for only 2-4 months”, says Kaikai.
In his remarks, the Excutive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Agency, Adamu Gamawa, promised that nine additional CMAN centres would be established in the state by 2018.
He stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months, calling on mothers to ensure that their children are well breastfeed.
Gamawa thereby re-iterated the commitment of the state government in ensuring quaking healthcare service for mothers and children.
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