Over 2.5 million children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition in Nigeria

The rising cases of child malnutrition in Nigeria despite concerted efforts by government, UNICEF and other development partners has become worrisome to the society.

More worrisome to the fact that cases of acute child malnutrition, contrary to erroneous perceptions in some quarters, are no longer a problem of only the North East and parts of North West affected by insurgency.

Acute child malnutrition now cuts across every state in Nigeria, as there are confirmed and shocking cases of malnutrition in other states of the country.

Federal and state government has been advised by the stakeholders on health and nutrition to declare a state of emergency on child malnutrition as findings / researches have shown that over 2.5 million children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) annually in Nigeria with about 20 per cent of them at the risk of imminent death unless there is quick intervention.

In a two-day Media Dialogue on Child Malnutrition organized by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for media practitioners, nutritionists and other stakeholders in Nigeria, in Owerri, Imo,attention of the Federal and state governments were drawn to the ravaging effect of Malnutrition in almost every home in Nigeria.
The participants at the workshop revealed the Nigerian situation and made startling discoveries on the threat posed by severe child malnutrition on the population.

The dialogue featured presentations by experts on nutrition interventions in Nigeria, malnutrition and its impact on children, and media advocacy for increased resources for nutrition programming, amongst others.With the theme “Good nutrition- An investment for the future”

The meeting brainstormed on ways to improve nutrition and avert the avoidable deaths and irreversible consequences of acute malnutrition and called on governments at all levels to direct its social intervention budgets to provide nutrition for Children under one to five years.
The Participants also visited some malnourished children at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri Imo State and at the end issued communique.