Experts blame ignorance for rising cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Nigeria

Experts have blamed ignorance and lack of education to the increasing Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in Nigeria.

They were speaking at the SAM Advocacy, Lessons Learn Dissemination Event, held virtually.

The event was held to give a feedback about the “Advocacy for the prevention and treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in Nigeria” project, which was implemented by a consortium of four organisations (Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF) Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CiSLAC).

The project’s aimed was to improve funding for SAM by mainstreaming the prevention and treatment of SAM into the Nigerian health system.

A multi-pronged approach consisting of high-level advocacy, media and CSO engagement, and technical support to the government was used to achieve the project objectives.

It was implemented over a period of two years (2018-2020) at the Federal Level and in five focal states (Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe).

While implementing this project several lessons were learnt which could be useful for the design and execution of similar projects in future.

The virtual event was an opportunity to share the lessons learnt from the work as well as provide an opportunity for further reflection on government financing for SAM.

The discussions was targeted at government officials, policy makers, planners, researchers, development partners, civil society organisations and citizens.

The Nigerian minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, in his remarks, said that ignorance, serving children the wrong food contribute to the increase in SAM.

” We need to educate people to solve the problem of Severe Acute Malnutrition. Government will improve on homegrown Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF)” Dr Ehanire said.

The Governor of one of the implimenting states of Gombe, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, pointed out that failure of natives to utilise locally produced food for the children,   he said it is one  the factors that increase SAM.

He said that locally produced food should be encouraged as Nigeria can not continue to depend on donors for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF).

Speaking on behalf of the Aisha Buhari Foundation, Dr. Fatima Jibrila, said that nutrition advocacy needed to be holistic.

On her part, Dr Mairo Mandala, of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, said that the organisation would continue to work with other NGOs towards creating a malnutrition free society for children.

In his presentation on Advocacy Support for the prevention of SAM, Dr. Emmanuel Sokoto, stated that enhance policies, increased funding of SAM and integration of SAM into the Primary Healthcare system would go a long way in solving the problems.

The Executive Director of the International Society of Media in Public Health, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, said that to increase awareness on the effects of SAM, the media needs to write reports that would stimulate stakeholders to do more.

She said that the media is an integral part to zero tolerance to Severe Acute Malnutrition.

Also speaking on behalf of health journalists, the President of Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, Mr. Hassan Zaggi, said that as journalists covering the health sector in Nigeria and working with partners, in the fight against Severe Acute Malnutrition since the past few years, the association has helped in educating Nigerians.

“Even though SAM is still a very serious issue in Nigeria, one good thing we must admit is that, because of the collective efforts of the Consortium and the media, governments at all levels and policy makers in the country are now aware that we have a problem in our hands. To us, this is an achievement, because the first step to solving a problem is identifying that it exists”. Mr Zaggi said.

Stakeholders at the virtual meeting called on governments at all levels to take ownership of the fight against SAM through increased budgetary provision awareness creation.