UNICEF Calls for Prioritisation of Nutrition to Avert SAM
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has estimated that 14.7 million children under-five will suffer from moderate and Severe Acute Nutrition in 2023. Currently, it said 13 million under-five children in Nigeria face moderate malnutrition while 1.7 million are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
UNICEF added that it takes only N8000 to prevent a child from becoming malnourished while it costs N57,000 to treat a malnourished child.
Currently, the world body said that in Nigeria, 11 million children under-five are stunted, four million are wasted, and 21 million are anaemic.
Stressing the need to prioritise nutrition, Mr. Ekene Ifedilichukwu, chairman Steering Committee of the Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) said that every dollar invested in nutrition can generate $16 in return adding that investing in nutrition is one of the most cost-effective drivers of development and prosperity.
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To avert severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF said the first 1000 days of a baby, from conception, offer a critical window of opportunity, which if misused the child may suffer irreversible malnourishment and stunted growth.
To maximise the first 1000 days, UNICEF identified three major stages – Pregnancy, 0-6 months, and 6-24 months.
During pregnancy, the UNICEF recommended nutrition counselling, weight gain tracking, multiple micronutrient supplementation, MMS, infection control, and intermittent presumptive treatment of malaria
Between 0-6 months of child birth, it recommended early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding.
Between 6-24 months, the UNICEF recommended continued breastfeeding, complementary feeding, Vitamin A Supplementation, micronutrient powders/small quantity lipid based nutrient supplements, screening and treatment for acute malnutrition, zinc supplementation and diarrhea management.
