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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