A recent survey conducted by Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) has indicated that only 21.3 per cent or two out of 10 children are exclusively breastfed in Katsina.
The Nutrition Manager, UNICEF Kano Field Office, Elhadji Diop, disclosed this at a media session on exclusive breastfeeding in Katsina on Wednesday.
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He said the report ranked Nigeria first in Africa in terms of the burden of malnutrition, second to India in the whole world.
“With exclusive breastfeeding, a child is ensured of development and survival and without that, a child is at risk of not being developed both mentally and physically.
“With only two out of 10 having a better chance of development and survival, it means eight out of 10 are at the risk of being malnourished, which is indeed unacceptable,” he said.
Diop said the rate was alarming, hence the need for all stakeholders and communities to rise and arrest the ugly trend.
He called on the media to scale up its advocacy and enlightenment in order to promote, support and protect exclusive breastfeeding.
The event was put together by the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency with support from UNICEF and ANRiN.
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