Use of Micro-Nutrients a vital step for curbing maternal mortality rates - Sunday Okhoronko
Speaking while declaring the workshop open, the Executive Secretary said the training became imperative with regard to the need to put effort together in ensuring the reduction of aneamia through the use of Multiple Micronutrients in Nigeria.
Mr Sunday Okoronkwo stated that there is need for the quick response from the government to tackle the challenges of the prgnant women faces saying that aneamia and hunger are the major problems that affects millions, particularly women and adolescent girls across the country.
He explained that media professionals have a vital role to play in advocasing for the government and stakeholders to fight for the Anaemia in pregnant women , adolescents and malnutrition in children as it causes the loss of million of lives adding that dietary diversity and use of essential micro nutrients supplements, MMS will prevent the menace.
Speaking while presenting a paper, titled' Nigeria’s Nutrition Situation with focus on Micronutrients Deficiencies and Anaemia Prevalence in Nigeria', the Head of Food and Nutrition Division , Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs Chito Nelson said statistics showed that 149 million Children under the age of five are stunted globally ,which lead to 50% dealth of Children under 5.
She maintained that when child is malnourished his chances of dying are high adding that 45 million Children under the age of 5 are wested across the world,97% of these children are in Asia (31.6 million) and Africa (12.2 million).
Mrs Nelson noted that to achieve the stated objectives, there is the need for coordinated platform and media advocacy on policy makers with the aim of ensuring effective policy making and good political will.
