UNICEF Condemns Surge In Cases Of Malnutrition In Gombe

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Gombe State government to urgently address the rising cases of malnutrition affecting children in the state.

The Chief Nutrition Officer of UNICEF in Nigeria, Dr. Argan De-Wagt, has alerted the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, on its need to intensify efforts to save the lives of malnourished children in the state. He said it would help to reduce cases of malnutrition in the state.

Wagt estimated that 36 per cent of children in Nigeria are affected by malnutrition, with Gombe State alone recording about 50 per cent.

“The indicator in the north is not so good, 10 per cent of children are disadvantaged because even nursing mothers are not properly nourished.

Most critical days are from pregnancy to first one thousand days of a child. If the nutritional stage by this period is not attained, mortality rate becomes very high.”

He added that exclusive breastfeeding is important because the breast has all the nutrients needed.