The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday decried the surge in malnourishment amongst children below five years, stating that out of over 3.4 million children in Kano State, 2 million, which represents 56.9 per cent are affected by stunting, due to malnutrition.
This was disclosed by UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Rihood Mohammed, at the launch of the 2024 First Round of Maternal Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) Week held at Ungwa Uku Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Tarauni Local Government Area of the state.
Mohammed said the state with a projected population of about 17 million, has over 3.4 million children that are under five years, of which more than half are affected by stunting.
Mohammed called for immediate action by the federal government to address the impending health menace which has plagued the state as a result of food insecurity in the country.
Addressing the health insurgency, the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, stated that his administration had been doing a lot in the health sector to improve the health services for all to thrive and develop.
Yusuf explained that the state had demonstrated an unalloyed commitment to nutrition promotion programmes, adding that the state was set to provide affordable and accessible healthcare services to all the 44 local government areas of the state.
Earlier BUSHLINK reports Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Senator Abubakar Kyari canvassing for Nigeria to effectively tackle the challenges of hunger and malnutrition as the dearth of sustainable funding has been the obstacle to achieving food security and better nutrition for the people.
