Malnutrition contributes to maternal mortality – UNICEF
Malnutrition contributes to maternal mortality – UNICEF
Sola Ojo
Stunted growth in the first two years in life of children and increasing maternal mortality in women has been attributed to poor nutrition.
Zubairu Sulaiman, Managing Director, Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) stated during a one day interactive meeting with Media Chief Executives on Nutrition co-hosted by KSMC and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
He also said “45%of all under-five death is attributed to under-nutrition. A National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHS) conducted in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja in 2013, showed that undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood diseases. ”
The meeting was in line with the Kaduna State government’s policy to improve the health status of children of 0-5 years and pregnant women.
Zubairu who was represented by Atiku Abubakar, Executive Director, Kaduna State Television (KSTV), explained that the purpose of the meeting is to remind participants of the responsibilities of media operators contribution towards lowering the figures of under-five death due to preventable illness.
”We are all aware of the role the media played in the success recorded in the area of immunisation some years back and very recently, the polio eradication campaign in Nigeria.
“This meeting is a clarion call to extend the same commitment to the nutrition sector in Kaduna. It is my sincere belief that we as media operators will take up the issue of nutrition as a front burner in our news reports and programming by committing more airtime, not only to nutrition issues but to women and children programmes generally.” He said.
Speaking to journalists, Rabiu Musa, Media and External Relations Officer, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, noted that data has shown that there is malnutrition in every part of Nigeria, but more prevalent in the Northern part of the country.
He expressed confidence on the Malam Nasir El-Rufai led government’s commitment in tackling malnutrition in the state and also pledged UNICEF’S continued partnership with the state government, adding “we have had a long time partnership with the media, we have no other partners that can reach out to the people effectively and efficiently like the media.
“So every work we do in UNICEF, we want to reach the beneficiaries or people affected or those concerned with the issues we are working on, and we believed reaching out to the people is through the media.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Nagarta Radio, Yusuf Salawa, Commended UNICEF for its cooperation with the media, saying “UNICEF stands out among all international donors in its attention to the electronic media especially the radio medium.
”Most organisations tends to be giving more attention to the print media rather than the electronic, and you know in Northern Nigeria to be able to reach the masses you need the radio. So we will continue to accord UNICEF the needed attention. ”
Posted from GoBroadsheet