Nutritionists charge government on funding to reduce malnutrition

The nutritionists made this call at the Media Centre Against Child Malnutrition (MeCAM), One Day Symposium on Malnutrition, Child Development and Role of Media held in Lagos. </p> <p>

Nutritionists have called on government at all levels to fund malnutrition interventions to reduce the number of children living with malnutrition. It is estimated that over 2.5 million Nigerian children suffer from malnutrition and only five per cent have access to quality medical healthcare.

The nutritionists made this call at the Media Centre Against Child Malnutrition (MeCAM), One Day Symposium on Malnutrition, Child Development and Role of Media held in Lagos.

Prof. Babatunde Oguntona, Honourary Board of Trustees Member, MeCAM and past President Nutrition Society of Nigeria said if Nigeria fails to invest in nutrition and tackle the current high malnutrition in the country, there would be more malnourished children soonest.

Oguntona explained that school-feeding programme is important if we must eradicate malnutrition and though expensive, the benefits outweigh the cost.
The Project Manager of Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Okoronkwo Sunday, explained that ignorance is a paramount cause of malnutrition in Nigeria, as some parents do not provide balanced diet for their children.

Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, Chairman Community Health and Research Initiative (CHRI) Board stated that media has vital role to play in terms of malnutrition intervention for providing adequate information to educate members the public to eat right foods.