The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has expressed
concern over the rate of malnutrition among Nigerian children and warned against its devastating
long-term effects.
The President of the association, Dr Ekanem Ekure, expressed the group’s worry during a news
conference in Gombe on Tuesday, as part of events to mark the association’s 56th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference.
Ekure, who highlighted that malnutrition is a significant contributor to childhood death and poor national productivity, added that “it directly or indirectly accounts for 45 per cent of childhood deaths in Nigeria.
“Statistics has also revealed that stunting rate among under-five children rose to 40 per cent in 2023, the highest globally, compared to 37 per cent in 2018.
“This trend reflects deepening economic crisis characterised by inflation, low wages and high fuel costs, leaving many families unable to afford adequate nutrition.”
She added that two million Nigerian children suffered severe acute malnutrition in 2023, a life-threatening condition.
She explained that the prevalence of underweight children also surged from 22 per cent in 2018 to
27 per cent in 2023, adding that “the numbers are compounded by declining agricultural productivity due to climate challenge, flooding and insecurity, further straining food supplies.”
She pointed out that exclusive breastfeeding rate remained stagnant at 29 per cent since 2018, in spite of its crucial role in early childhood nutrition.
The association president emphasised that economic pressures forcing mothers into the workforce contributed to the low figure, exacerbating infant malnutrition.
She, therefore, called for robust inter-sectoral collaborations to address the root causes of malnutrition and underlined the importance of implementing the Child Rights Act (2003), which guarantees children’s access to adequate nutrition, education and social protection.
She stressed that “addressing malnutrition crisis requires political will, increased funding for health initiatives and awareness to empower families and communities.
“As Nigeria’s population continues to grow, I am calling on policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise child health and nutrition as pivotal to the nation’s future development.”
She also lamented the issue of low vaccination rate, which she said led to outbreaks of preventable diseases, further endangering child survival.(NAN)
