The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has revealed that 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) findings that shows that 4 out of every 10 constituting 40% children under five are stunted due to malnutrition as compared to the 37% stunting rate in 2023, is alarming hence the call for action to address the horrible development.
This was disclosed by CS-SUNN Executive Secretary Mr Sunday Okoronkwo during a media roundtable on improved reportage of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) uptake for anaemia prevention and control in Nigeria. According to him, the report revealed an increase in malnutrition levels in the country when compared to
data from five years ago adding that this crucial development requires an urgent and more coordinated response to address the rising malnutrition crisis.
He explained that the survey also showed that in Kano state the indices showed a more pronounced rate of malnutrition among children. In Kano state, the data revealed that 6 out of every 10 children under 5 constituting 51.9% of the children are stunted, and about 4 out of every 10 children constituting 38.4% of the children are underweight with almost 2 making 10.4% out of every 10 children are suffering wasting in the state.
He further revealed that MMS has emerged as a cost-effective intervention that can substantially improve maternal nutrition outcomes. MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring significant improvement in birth outcomes.
In her testimony, a pregnant mother Malama Hafsat Muhammad revealed that the MMS given to her for free had assisted her a great deal adding that ever since she started taking the supplements she is feeling better. She called on all pregnant mothers to concentrate on taking MMS as it is very vital to their health.
