Research on Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria, WINNN, has revealed that about 370,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in Northern Nigeria required lifesaving treatment. Dr Mohammed Liman, National Programme Manager, WINNN, said yesterday in Abuja, at a briefing on “Addressing the High Rates of Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria”.
WINNN is a programme funded by the UK Department for International Development, DFID, in collaboration with UNICEF, Save the Children and Action Against Hunger. Liman said the programme was conducted in Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Yobe states, and the rate of malnutrition in the selected states was as high as about 58 per cent.
“As a result of malnutrition, 58 per cent of children under the age of five in these states suffer from stunting, meaning that their physical and mental developments have been impaired.
An estimated 370,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in these states will require lifesaving treatment this year, without such treatment, some 70,000 are likely to die,” he said. He said the group had intervened by providing micronutrients to build immunity, anti worm medications and supplements to pregnant women during antenatal. According to him, the first 1,000 days informs the level of growth and development of a child.
He also stated that they were engaging traditional leaders in ensuring that awareness on malnutrition was well publicised, engaging Primary Health Care centres to bring services close to the people.
Liman also said that findings from the research were expected to be implemented at the national level.
Mr Andrew Tomkins, International Team Leader, Operation Research and Impact Evaluation (ORIE), said only 10 per cent of women in the Northern part of the country deliver in health facilities. Tomkins observed that the research revealed that Northern Nigeria had high incidence of malnourished adolescent pregnancy which affected the development of a child.
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