The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF in collaboration with the Adamawa state government have launch 1000 days life campaign funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of latter days-Saint to mitigate malnutrition in the state.
Speaking during the launching of the intervention yesterday thursday,in Yola, governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri represented by the deputy governor Kaletapwa Farauta George noted that the strategic intervention will strengthen nutrition services, improve maternal, infant and young child feeding practices, further enhance community engagement, and reinforce health system to deliver quality nutrition services to those who need them most
According to the governor, the county is ladened with burden of malnutrition with Adamawa state reporting a stunting prevalence of over 48.6 percent.

“ Nigeria continues to face a heavy burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition contributing to nearly half of all deaths among children under five years of age. In Adamawa State, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2023–2024) reports a stunting prevalence of 48.6 percent, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated and sustained action” he said.

The governor noted that the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child’s second birthday, represent the most critical period for physical growth, brain development and lifelong health.

He added that Investing during this period is one of the most effective ways to reduce child mortality, improve learning outcomes and building a healthier, more productive society.

He further commended UNICEF and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their invaluable partnership and support adding that their collaboration demonstrates what can be achieved when governments and development partners work together to improve lives.

Earlier the UNICEF chief of field office, Nuzhat Rafique noted that the intervention is one of UNICEF initiative aimed at preventing malnutrition among children which is prevailing in Nigerian states.

According to Rafique “about 40 to 50 percent of the children in different states, with different figures are malnourished adding that to prevent malnutrition from conception to two years, requires such intervention to make impact”.

She noted that the intervention is aimed at ensuring healthy mother during pregnancy with enough skills and ingredient to keep the child healthy, adequate breast feeding and immunization to prevent diseases which leads to mortality among children.

“Having healthy diversified food, all groups of food and good quality of food is very important for the child, that can prevent malnutrition” she added that, “if the child is malnourished, for treating the child, ready-to-use therapeutic food is like a treatment for the children who have gone into malnutrition. But our first, and foremost approach is to prevent malnutrition, so child never loses any potential” she said.

The commissioner of health and human services Adamu Muhammed Chubadu commended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for funding the eminent project and UNICEF for its unwavering technical support and enduring partnership with the State.

He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the successful implementation of the project to ensure that every pregnant woman and child receives the quality nutrition and healthcare they deserve during the first 1,000 days of life.

 

From Joy Dennis, Yola.