The federal ministry of health and social welfare has said that the main contributing factors to acute malnutrition in Northeast and Northwest zones of the country include low food consumption (quantity and quality) and poor health behaviours.
The Director and Head, Nutrition Department of the ministry, Ladidi Bako- Aiyegbusi stated this at the weekend in Abuja during the 8th annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists ( ANHeJ).
Represented by Adenike Bayode, the Baby Friendly Initiative Desk Officer at the ministry, she said in addition, poor health services , feeding practices, access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, and food insecurity played a key role.
She said , “Other factors that lead to acute malnutrition include banditry and population displacement, as well as insecurity limiting access to vulnerable populations.”
She said the federal government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to addressing the malnutrition challenges in the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health , Dr. Salma Ibrahim said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has made commitments to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location, economic status, or gender
