60 per cent of underaged children suffer acute malnutrition in Jigawa

Over 60 per cent of children under the age of five years are suffering from impaired growth due to acute severe malnutrition in Jigawa State a survey has revealed.

The survey also said that the children are presently witnessing a high degree of stunting as a result of nutrient deficiencies making them prone to infection, inadequate psychosocial stimulation and other life-threatening complications.

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This was revealed by the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Kabir Ibrahim-Aliyu, during an advocacy meeting on Thursday in Kano.

The advocacy training organised by Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF) in collaboration with Jigawa state government, had in attendance the 27 Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen of the state as well as critical stakeholders on nutrition.

The event was meant to reevaluate the menace of malnutrition in the state.

According to Ibrahim Aliyu despite the commitment of the state government in tackling the issue of malnutrition, the number of stunting children continue to progress on alarming rate.

“In the past 3-years, the Jigawa State Government has committed not less than N300 million as part of effort to improve nutrition among the children under the age of five,” Ibrahim-Aliyu said.

“And I want to assure you that we will not relent in our efforts towards ensuring free malnutrition in the state. Especially with the support of the Aisha Buhari foundation and other supporting agencies.

On her part, the project Coordinator, Aisha Buhari foundation, Omole Ukwedeh, said the meeting was aimed at sensitising the chairmen and other stakeholders to commit more efforts in the fight against malnutrition.

She said, “The meeting was also to ensure that all government efforts on nutrition are highlighted. LGA Chairmen understand the scope of MINI Local Government Chairmen financial commitments are obtained.

“It was also to sensitise the participants on the malnutrition situation in the State, update the stakeholders on government efforts towards reducing and managing malnutrition in the state, update the LGA chairmen about Masaki Nutrition Initiative Advocate for sustainability of LG nutrition funding.”

Also speaking, the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Jigawa, Alhaji Aminu Sani-Gumel said the council chairmen have been putting a lot of commitments in the struggle against malnutrition.