Over 115,000 children malnourished in Zamfara: Survey

Mr Mahama was making a presentation on the findings of the survey conducted in June for Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara.

News Agency of Nigeria • November 7, 2023

Malnourished children. [CREDIT: The Cable]

Malnourished children used to illustrate the story [CREDIT: The Cable]

At least 115,146 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) have been identified in Zamfara, the 2023 Nutrition Standard Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) Survey has revealed.

Abraham Mahama, the nutrition specialist in the Sokoto Field Office of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), disclosed this in Sokoto on Tuesday.

Mr Mahama was making a presentation on the findings of the survey conducted in June for Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara.

He spoke at a one-day meeting to disseminate the 2023 Nutrition SMART Survey and Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, Acute Malnutrition analysis report for the state.

The meeting was organised by the State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) in collaboration with UNICEF.

The participants at the meeting included the executive secretaries of SPHCB and the State Hospital Service Management Board directors of the SPHCB.

Other participants were directors of primary healthcare and nutrition focal persons from the 14 local government areas of the state and journalists, among other stakeholders.

Mr Mahama said UNICEF, in collaboration with SPHCB and the National Bureau of Statistics, conducted the SMART Survey in June in the three states.

According to the data from the Routine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition Programme, no fewer than 150,387 children with SAM had been admitted for treatment.

“It was recorded across 75 primary health facilities of the state from January to October.

“You know, we use the report to know the prevalence of SAM, Moderate Acute Malnutrition and Global Acute Malnutrition,” Mr Mahama said.

He commended USAID, the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, and other partners for their financial support to the Integrated Nutrition Programme in the state.

The vice chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Lawal Bilbis, who moderated the discussion on the report, urged the participants to deliver on the commitment given to them towards addressing the challenges.

During the meeting, UNICEF donated laptops and accessories to the state nutrition officials and nutrition officers of the 14 local government areas to improve data management.

(NAN)

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