FG Moves To Stem Maternal Mortality

A nutritionist, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, recently said the
Federal Government would work towards the eradication of micronutrient
deficiencies in women and children to reduce the risk of maternal mortality.

Isokpunwu, Head, Nutrition Division, Federal Ministry of
Health, said this at a two-day maiden Nestle Nigeria Plc sponsored forum on
Creating Shared Value (CSV) in Lagos.

The theme of the forum is “The Role of Business in Food
Security and Nutrition.”

“A micronutrient deficiency (or trace mineral deficiency)
represents a human physiological disorder which occurs when a person’s diet does
not contain required nutrients.

“And or when illnesses (such as diarrhoea or malaria) cause
rapid loss of nutrients through feces or vomit,” the Wikipedia said.

Also, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said; “Vitamin A
deficiency (VAD) is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children and
increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections.

“In pregnant women, VAD causes night blindness and may
increase the risk of maternal mortality.”

Isokpunwu said; “The main focus when we are talking about
micronutrient deficiency is on women and children in the first 1,000 days of
their lives.

“Micronutrient deficiencies can be prevented and even
eliminated, if small quantities of the micronutrients are consumed by an
individual on a continuous and ongoing basis.

“Integrated approaches are recommended to reduce and ideally
eliminate micronutrient deficiencies.’’

The nutritionist said that the known interventions like
supplementation, fortification of staple and widely consumed accessible foods including
bouillons, dietary improvement and public health measures have been very
successful worldwide.

A nutritionist from Cote d’ Ivoire, Dr Ouattara Sanga, said
that universal food fortification was one of the means of fighting against
micronutrient deficiency.

Sanga said that nutritional education would go a long way to
create awareness on how food fortification could be effective.

Mr Martin Woolnough, Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc,
said that the forum was basically to exchange ideas with top nutritionists on
how to create shared value.

He said that the discussions would address the challenges of
nutrition, water and rural development in the context of food security,
environmental sustainability and greater economic opportunity.