The United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that about 2.9 million children in Nigeria are suffering from Acute Severe Malnutrition (SAM)
The UNICEF Country Representative Mrs Cristian Munduate who said this yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara state capital noted that it's urgent that the affected children be taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention to prevent their untimely death.
Munduate who spoke at the handover ceremony of 40,000 ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) through Child Nutrition Fund added that over 40 percent of children in Kwara state suffered from the menace.
UNICEF representative also said that Kwara state government had contributed a sum of $100,000 to access the child nutrition fund, noting that UNICEF had brought in the same amount.
Said she: "From our records 2.9 Children in Nigeria are suffering from Acute Severe Nutrition, this obviously is not a good development.So it's my considered opinion that the affected children be immediately taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention to prevent untimely death
"UNICEF introduced the child nutrition fund to boost investment in policies and programmes. UNICEF is committed to partnering with the Kwara state to combat malnutrition, particularly during the critical first 1000 days of life.
"The challenge of over 40 percent of children being stunted and nearly 300,000 children affected by wasting, requires urgent attention to address these issues."
She attributed causes of severe acute malnutrition to consequences of poverty, climate change, lack of access to food as well as security issues.
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