UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, has once again emphasized the urgent need for Increased Funding in the Nutrition Sector to address the high Child Malnutrition rates in Nigeria.
The organization drew attention to Data from the National Health Demographics, which revealed that Approximately 12 million Children under the age of five in Nigeria are still Suffering from Malnutrition.
Shockingly, one in every three of these Children faces Stunted growth, and an additional 3 million under-fives are Wasted due to poor Nutrition.
Despite efforts to Combat Malnutrition, it remains a Widespread Issue across Nigeria, affecting even Regions that were previously considered less affected.
In response to these alarming Statistics, UNICEF’s Nutrition Officer, Nkeiru Enwelum, engaged in a Dialogue with Journalists in Port-Harcourt.
During this Session, she emphasized the need to close Funding Gaps and prioritize Investments in Nutrition Programs.
Enwelum emphasized that the Current State of Child Nutrition in Nigeria is cause for serious concern and does not suggest well for the Country’s Future.
She presented her Findings under the Theme “Investing in Child Malnutrition for the Future” and explained that Increased Funding is essential to Enable urgent Advocacy Campaigns in remote Communities and to Provide Treatment for Children suffering from Severe Malnutrition.
She further emphasized that the Government needs to Allocate more of its Budget to addressing Child Nutrition Issues in Nigeria.
Adequate Funding would ensure that Children have access to Vital Interventions such as Vitamin A supplementation and deworming, which can prevent Illnesses that hinder their Development.
Enwelum also highlighted the Cost-effectiveness of preventing Malnutrition compared to treating its Consequences, emphasizing that the Government should Prioritize prevention efforts.
She also underlined the Importance of a Multi-Sectoral approach to Tackle Child Malnutrition comprehensively.
This approach Involves Collaboration between various Sectors to ensure that all relevant Interventions are effectively delivered.
Enwelum called attention to the Critical Role of the Health Sector in delivering these Nutrition Interventions and called for Coordinated efforts across all Sectors to address this pressing Issue.
