FG launches Global Nutrition report
NAN-HG-6
Nutrition
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Dec. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government on Monday launched the 2016 Global Nutrition report to reduce the malnutrition cases in the North East and North West.
President Muhammadu Buhari presented the report during the high level policy dialogue on the country’s nutrition crisis in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, the president said the report was aimed at making it easier for government and other stakeholders to make high impact commitment to reduce malnutrition in all its forms.
Buhari said the federal government recently approved and launched a multi sectorial policy on food and nutrition as well as health sector plan which set cost, nutrition specific interventions and measurable targets.
This, he said, was part of the effort to reduce malnutrition from the children under five years old.
“Everyday, about 2,300 children under the age of five die of malnutrition, we cannot allow it; the malnutrition indices are worst in North West and East but the situation is more in the North East.
“About 20 per cent of the burden of malnutrition is in these two regions,” he said.
Buhari said: “Children who are well nourished in the first two years of life are more likely to do better at school and be more productive throughout their lifetime as adults.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, called for the urgent need to address issues relating to malnutrition.
Tejuoso said UNICEF had pledged to treat 600,000 of 2.5 million malnourished children in the country by 2017.
He said the remaining 1.9 million children needed to be budgeted for by the federal government, adding that about N50,000 was needed for the treatment of each child.
Tejuoso admitted that the country had made some progress and emphasised the need to step up the momentum.
“Though the country has certainly made some progress, thanks to the development partners and donors, much work remains to be done.
‘“And this is where the federal and state government as well as legislative houses have a crucial pivotal role to play,” he said. (NAN)
OEO/JEO/MST
Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola