The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has declared Kaduna State, as a malnutrition endemic state, with over 1.6 million children suffering from one form of malnutrition or the other.
Dr Florence Oni, UNICEF, Nutrition Specialist made the declaration while presenting nutrition intervention score card for the last six months in the state, during a two-day 2016 mid-year review meeting in Kaduna.
According to her, malnutrition was responsible for the death of 50 per cent children under five years in the state.
“Currently, over 900, 000 children, representing 57 per cent children in the state are stunted; meaning 6 out of every 10 children under-five years in the state is stunted due to malnutrition.
“Also, over 750,000 children are wasted, which implies that 47 per cent of the children are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and are ten times more likely to die.”
She, however, said that the state government was already doing something about it, adding that much needed to be done if the situation would be addressed.
“So far, the State Government has released about N37 million to treat just about 3,060 children, and UNICEF had equally supported the government with same amount to treat additional 3,060 children.
“When you add up, it will give you just 6000 children that are being treated. This is a very insignificant figure when compared with the over 1.6 million malnourished children in the state, “she said.
She added that UNICEF in collaboration with the state government had rolled out Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) in March this year as part of efforts to address the problem, explaining that 507 children from 6 to 59 months old with severe acute malnutrition were admitted into CMAM between March and May with 138 treated and discharged, while 2 defaulted and 5 died.
She added that 60 health workers and 160 community volunteers had been trained and acquired necessary skills and capacity for the management of SA.
The nutrition expert equally said that Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (CIYF) was also rolled out in the state to educate mothers on proper feeding of children.
“So far 11, 572 pregnant and lactating mothers in Kajuru and Zaria Local Government Areas were trained between January and May on appropriate infant and young child feeding,” she added.
The specialist further said that the state government had also released N 80 million for two rounds of Maternal and Child Health Week (MNCHW) and was conducted in February and June 2016.
She said that during the week, 2,585, 092 children from 6 to 59 months old received vitamin A supplement, while 1,809,784 children from 12 to 59 months were dewormed.
“Also, 502,569 pregnant women received supply of iron folate for the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies.
“With this figure, we have met the set milestones of 75, 45, and 45 per cent respectively for the three key nutrition intervention of vitamin A, deworming and iron folate this year, “she added.
On his part, the Field Officer, UNICEF Kaduna, Mr Uptal Moitra, said timely release of fund for nutrition interventions remained urgent and critical towards addressing malnutrition in the state.He emphasized the much need for the state government to increase investment to effectively address the epidemic in the state.
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