Malnutrition, Cause Of 53% Infant Deaths – Expert

Malnutrition has been
said to be responsible for about 53 per cent infant deaths in addition to poor mental development in Nigeria.
Speaking at a courtesy call on the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagne, the Nutrition Specialist, United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), State Field Officer, Dr Ngozi Onuora, noted that nutrition and health were inseparable in the growth, development and health of infants.
“As helpful as nutrition is to the good health and proper development of infants, it is regrettable that it has not been given the needed attention as do others and yet, malnutrition is responsible for about 53 per cent infant death in the country”, Onuora said. She therefore stressed the need for nutrition summit in the state which she said the health commissioner would be the host.
Speaking to The Tide, a nutrition specialist with Nestle Nutrition maintained that balanced nutrition was all that is needed for the good formation and health of infants.
He said, “it has been observed that people even prefer medications and supplements for these children rather than proper and balanced nutrition. This is wrong. When the child is well-fed, he is less susceptible to common infections that would result in ill health. All the child needs is good and balanced nutrition and his growth, development and health are guaranteed”.
The expert further stressed the need for deliberate efforts both at the federal and state government levels including stakeholders to organise sensitisation and awareness campaigns on mothers and wards beginning at their antenatal stages, on the need for them to focus on good and balanced nutrition for their babies.

Lady Godknows Ogbulu