By Asma’u Ahmad
The seven states in the North West sub-region of Nigeria are fighting to stem the scourge of malnutrition which has affected more than 1,594,462 children in the region.
The United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-fives and 145 women of child-bearing age, making Nigeria the second largest contributor to the under-five deaths and maternal mortality rate in the world.
Also, UNICEF’s estimate showed that Nigeria has been adversely affected by Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with the number of malnourished children put at 2,539,704.
Newsmen reveal that the seven states in the zone account for more than 75 per cent of the total severe malnutrition cases recorded in Nigeria in 2016.
It was reported that the governments of Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Sokoto states are taking measures to provide medication to affected women and children, and prevent new cases.
In Kaduna, which has an estimated 263,495 cases of acutely malnourished children aged six to 59 months in 2016, the state government and UNICEF had injected more than N824 million in 2016 to tackle the menace.
The government had also made a provision of N137 million in its 2017 budget for the procurement of therapeutic food and drugs for the management of acute malnutrition.
In Kebbi, the government says it is working with UNICEF to provide nutrition support to the 216,795 estimated to be acutely malnurished in 2016.
Newsmen reports that the figure did not include the over 500, 000 children that are stunted in the state.
The government had spent N100 million in 2016 on the matter, and according to UNICEF’s Chief Nutritionist in the state, Mr Arjan Dewatt the collaboration would reduce maternal and child death.
Reports from Kano State indicates that no fewer than 55, 000 children were treated for acute malnutrition in 2016.
The figure is far short of the 397,515 estimated in 2016 to be acutely malnourished.
A Consultant Nutritionist with UNICEF, Dr. Ayodeji Osunkentan however, said that the level of malnutrition in the state was being controlled with support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation through CMAM.
He said that with more commitment and proactiveness of the government, the issue of malnutrition would be eliminated completely.
In Katsina State, the government said it had treated no fewer than 245,789 malnourished children between 2010 and 2016.
Records from UNICEF indicates that the state has an estimated acute malnutrition cases of up to 278,079 in 2016 alone.
The state Nutrition Officer, Hajiya Rabiya Muhammad, said that a total of 318, 689 children were admitted for malnutrition ailment in the last six years.
According to her, 80,000 children are currently receiving treatment at the various Community Management of Acute Malnutrition centers in 15 local governments of the state.
She explained that the state has 105 CMAM centers in the 15 out of the 34 local government areas in the state.
The nutritionist said the support of development partners had helped to reduce the high rate of malnutrition in the state.
Hajiya Rabi revealed that the state government had released N200million in November 2016 for nutrition programmes.
She said that part of the money was used in conducting Maternal and Newborn Child Week, where pregnant and nursing mothers received vitamin A supplement, immunizations and other drugs for themselves and their children.
Reports from Zamfara indicated that the level of government intervention was not encouraging in a state where an estimated 68,382 children and mothers have acute malnutrition in 2016.
The state Communication Officer of Save the Children, Alhaji Isa Maru, however, said the government has agreed to provide additional funding in its 2017 budget for nutrition programmes.
Alhaji Maru said that the organization had mobilsed the 14 local government chairmen in the state to support efforts at tackling acute malnutrition and save the lives of children.
He recalled that the Emir of Bakura and that of Shikanfi had made donations in the past to tackle acute malnutrition in their domain.
In Sokoto State, the estimated acute malnutrition cases in 2016 was put at 34,419 and the state government said it would start producing Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a nutrient used in treating malnutrition.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Balarabe Kakale, said it would be cheaper to set up a factory to produce the supplement than continue to buy it from abroad.
Also, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Al-mustapha Othman, said the government had conducted a scientific research and feasibility study on the planned production of the food.
The state Nutritionist, Alhaji Ali Hamza said CMAM sites had been set up in nine local government areas of the state with 46 centres distributing the RUTF.
He said that the sites were located in Binji, Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Illela, Sabon-Birni, Sokoto South, Tangaza and Wamakko Local Governments.
