The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the nutritional status of children in Kano State, Nigeria, revealing that 51.9% of children are stunted due to chronic malnutrition. This alarming figure implies that one in every two children in the state is not growing well, highlighting the need for urgent attention and action to address this public health concern.
According to UNICEF, over 10% of children in Kano State are wasted, a condition characterized by severe weight loss and increased risk of death if left untreated. The Chief of Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahma Farah, emphasized that child malnutrition remains a major public health concern that requires immediate attention from all stakeholders. Farah called for increased investment in nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
The UNICEF official urged the government, civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders to scale up actions to combat malnutrition. This includes improving access to nutrition services, education, clean water, and healthcare. Farah stressed that investment in child nutrition is one of the most cost-effective interventions for national development, highlighting the importance of prioritizing this issue.
The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, assured that the government is committed to improving child nutrition and has recently launched programs targeting maternal and child health. Labaran promised that the state would continue to partner with UNICEF and other development partners to reduce malnutrition rates and improve child survival and development indicators.
Malnutrition remains a significant contributor to child mortality and poor educational outcomes in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country. The UNICEF report underscores the need for sustained efforts to address this issue and ensure that children in Kano State and beyond receive the nutrition they need to thrive.
