The country needs better socioeconomic policies to save its dying children
Recent reports from several local and international agencies indicate that many Nigerian children under the age of five are stunted and suffering from chronic malnutrition. This development implies a marked increase in the child’s susceptibility to infections and invariably contributes to his death. Pregnant women who are not adequately nourished eventually give birth to babies with low weight, thus putting their survival at risk. The cost of malnutrition in human and economic terms to our nation is huge.
Indeed, a recent report revealed that 53 per cent of infant mortality in Nigeria was due to malnutrition. Paradoxically, however, even though malnutrition is the underlying cause for a third of child mortality in the world, it is yet to receive the high-profile attention and investment necessary to address it effectively, in comparison with other causes of child mortality such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Consequently, while child mortality rate caused by malaria has shrunk by a third since 2000, child malnutrition has decreased by a mere 0.3 per cent over the same period.
With less than three years to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the signs are clear that Nigeria may not achieve the MDG goals of eradicating poverty and meeting those that relate to education and health, since they are largely dependent on adequate nutrition. Unless the government, at all levels, takes immediate steps to address hunger and malnutrition, especially in children and pregnant women, our poor indices on maternal and child mortality can only further worsen. Indeed, if concerted and deliberate action is not taken, some 2.4 million more Nigerian children will be physically and mentally stunted, their lives devastated by malnutrition, over the next three years.
Political commitment is therefore necessary to ensure advocacy on the adverse implications of malnutrition and how to avoid its devastating consequences. Partnership with civil society and academic institutions with focus on food and nutrition is also an imperative. But such political commitment is best demonstrated by a tangible increase in resource allocation, with the relevant Ministries and Agencies geared to establish a road map and coordinated mechanisms for implementing activities for up-scaling nutrition in the public sphere. This road map should consist of clear roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders as well as implementable strategies, with milestones for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture, fortifying basic foods with essential minerals or vitamins, and mobilising communities for action on the growing of more beneficial foods.
For effective health and social protection, mothers must be encouraged to adopt exclusive breastfeeding habits for their babies in the initial six months of their lives. Thereafter, complementary feeding can be introduced for 24 months, then the consumption of various nutrients such as Vitamin A, iodized salt and zinc, amongst others.
In a country blessed with so much arable land and natural resources, Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger. Unfortunately, both poverty and hunger continue to saturate our country’s landscape. Hunger is both a cause and consequence of poverty, as people on low incomes tend to have worse diets, while people who lack adequate nutrition struggle harder to extricate themselves from poverty. It would be a tragedy if Nigeria fails to meet the MDG goals by 2015 on account of being unable to address the crushing indices and causes of malnutrition that have continued to deprive over half of our children (and mothers) of a healthy and productive life span. Our governments, at practically all levels, need to sit up and confront malnutrition with resolute decisiveness if the future of our children is to be secure.
Indeed, a recent report revealed that 53 per cent of infant mortality in Nigeria was due to malnutrition. Paradoxically, however, even though malnutrition is the underlying cause for a third of child mortality in the world, it is yet to receive the high-profile attention and investment necessary to address it effectively, in comparison with other causes of child mortality such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. Consequently, while child mortality rate caused by malaria has shrunk by a third since 2000, child malnutrition has decreased by a mere 0.3 per cent over the same period.
With less than three years to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the signs are clear that Nigeria may not achieve the MDG goals of eradicating poverty and meeting those that relate to education and health, since they are largely dependent on adequate nutrition. Unless the government, at all levels, takes immediate steps to address hunger and malnutrition, especially in children and pregnant women, our poor indices on maternal and child mortality can only further worsen. Indeed, if concerted and deliberate action is not taken, some 2.4 million more Nigerian children will be physically and mentally stunted, their lives devastated by malnutrition, over the next three years.
Political commitment is therefore necessary to ensure advocacy on the adverse implications of malnutrition and how to avoid its devastating consequences. Partnership with civil society and academic institutions with focus on food and nutrition is also an imperative. But such political commitment is best demonstrated by a tangible increase in resource allocation, with the relevant Ministries and Agencies geared to establish a road map and coordinated mechanisms for implementing activities for up-scaling nutrition in the public sphere. This road map should consist of clear roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders as well as implementable strategies, with milestones for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture, fortifying basic foods with essential minerals or vitamins, and mobilising communities for action on the growing of more beneficial foods.
For effective health and social protection, mothers must be encouraged to adopt exclusive breastfeeding habits for their babies in the initial six months of their lives. Thereafter, complementary feeding can be introduced for 24 months, then the consumption of various nutrients such as Vitamin A, iodized salt and zinc, amongst others.
In a country blessed with so much arable land and natural resources, Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger. Unfortunately, both poverty and hunger continue to saturate our country’s landscape. Hunger is both a cause and consequence of poverty, as people on low incomes tend to have worse diets, while people who lack adequate nutrition struggle harder to extricate themselves from poverty. It would be a tragedy if Nigeria fails to meet the MDG goals by 2015 on account of being unable to address the crushing indices and causes of malnutrition that have continued to deprive over half of our children (and mothers) of a healthy and productive life span. Our governments, at practically all levels, need to sit up and confront malnutrition with resolute decisiveness if the future of our children is to be secure.
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