The federal government says Nigeria is battling a largely preventable nutrition crisis, with 58 per cent of women of reproductive age living with anaemia.

Helen Achimugu, assistant director of the Nutrition Department, federal ministry of health and social welfare, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

She spoke at the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) capacity building for journalists on anaemia prevention.

The training has “Media as Catalysts for an Anaemia-Free Nigeria” as its theme.

Citing the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Ms Achimugu said more than half of Nigerian women were affected by a preventable and treatable condition.

She said the burden also affects children, noting that Nigeria ranks first in Africa and second globally in stunted children.

“We have about 35 million stunted children, 14 million wasted children and 24 million children who are anaemic.

“This is not just a health issue; it is a development emergency,” she said.

Ms Achimugu said micronutrient deficiencies, known as “hidden hunger”, were widespread among children under five and women of reproductive age.

“They are called hidden hunger because the signs are not always visible, but the impact on health, learning and productivity is profound,” she said.

She attributed the trend to poor dietary diversity, food insecurity and socio-economic factors, with higher prevalence in northern Nigeria.

Achimugu identified iron, iodine, zinc, folate and vitamin A as essential micronutrients for growth and immunity.

“When these nutrients are lacking or taken in excess, the body cannot function properly,” she said.

She said malnutrition contributes to stunting, wasting, underweight and impaired cognitive development.

“In developing countries, malnutrition contributes to about 60 per cent of cases of pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and measles,” she said.

Ms Achimugu described anaemia as low haemoglobin levels, often caused by iron deficiency, with serious maternal and child health consequences.

“It increases the risk of maternal death, low birth weight and poor child growth,” she said.

She, however, said the federal government had taken steps to reduce the burden of the disease with interventions such as food fortification, supplementation and dietary diversification, especially Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.

“MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals and should be taken daily by pregnant women,” she said. 

Ms Achimugu said MMS had been included in Nigeria’s Essential Medicines List and was provided free in public health facilities. 

“One bottle lasts about six months and significantly reduces anaemia risk during and after pregnancy,” she said.

She stressed the role of the media in driving awareness and advocacy.

“If the media is not there, we cannot take this message to every household,” she said.

Earlier, CS-SUNN executive secretary, Sunday Okoronkwo, described anaemia as a persistent but preventable public health challenge.

“The most affected are women and children, and they depend on the media to speak up for them,” he said.

Mr Okoronkwo urged journalists to tell human-centred stories that could drive policy action.

“Prevention through adequate nutrition is more cost-effective than emergency interventions,” he said.

30 journalists from Nasarawa, Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Bauchi and the Federal Capital Territory are participating in the training. 

(NAN)