Ibadan: The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have initiated a collaborative effort to tackle child stunting and malnutrition through nutrition interventions across the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative aims to address malnutrition during the critical first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child’s second birthday, which experts identify as crucial for physical and cognitive development. The U.S. Government-funded programme was launched in Ibadan as a joint collaboration among UNICEF Nigeria, the Oyo State Ministry of Health, the Primary Healthcare Board, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and Local Government Areas.
Mr. Sumit Karn, Nutrition Manager, UNICEF Nigeria, Abuja, stated at the project’s grant inception meeting that the programme would focus on pregnant women and children under two years. Karn emphasized the goal of strengthening early childhood nutrition to mitigate the long-term effects of stunting on health, education, and productivity. The programme is set to be implemented across seven Nigerian states, with Oyo as a focal point.
A significant component of the programme is its aim to reach 36,000 children with nutrition supplements to improve child health outcomes and reduce stunting rates. Beyond immediate health benefits, the intervention is anticipated to enhance children’s learning capacity and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, highlighted the partnership as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to reinforcing primary healthcare and enhancing maternal and child nutrition at the grassroots level. Ajetunmobi noted progress in reducing chronic malnutrition, with a decrease in stunting prevalence from 34.7 percent in 2023 to 23.4 percent, due to intensified nutrition interventions. However, she pointed out that acute malnutrition, or wasting, has increased from 1.8 percent to 14.4 percent, indicating a need for renewed focus on infant and young child feeding practices.
To address these issues, the state government, in collaboration with UNICEF and supported by a US Government grant, is targeting the first 1,000 days of life through direct nutrition interventions. These include early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and the introduction of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement (SQLNS) for children aged six months to two years. The commissioner emphasized that the supplement is free, not for sale, and should not be used by children above two years or adults. A diversion monitoring committee has been established to prevent misuse.
Dr. Muideen Olatunji, Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, praised Gov. Seyi Makinde’s commitment to health service delivery, which contributed to Oyo being selected as one of the grant beneficiaries. He assured UNICEF of the state’s capacity to properly manage the programme across local healthcare centers.
Mr. Sikiru Sanda, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State, expressed the readiness of local government chairmen to collaborate with health workers and local authorities for effective implementation and monitoring.