By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU

No fewer than 342,919 children under two in Benue State are stunted, representing 25 per cent of the 1,371,676 children within the age bracket.

The Benue State Nutrition Officer, Dr Faustina Shar, also revealed that 699,554 children, representing 51 per cent, were anaemic in the state.

Shar disclosed the figures on Wednesday during a two-day Joint Inception and Planning Meeting on preventing malnutrition within the first 1,000 days of life.

The meeting, held in Awka, Anambra State, was organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) alongside the Enugu and Benue State Governments, with United States funding.

Shar described the growing malnutrition burden as a major public health concern requiring urgent and coordinated intervention across multiple sectors.

“Nutrition remained a critical component of development,” she said during the stakeholders’ engagement meeting.

She explained that proper nutrition improved infant, child, adolescent and maternal health, while strengthening immunity and ensuring safer pregnancy and childbirth outcomes.

According to her, good nutrition also reduced the risk of non-communicable diseases and enhanced long-term human development and productivity.

Shar warned that malnutrition continued limiting the potential of millions globally, with effects extending across generations and undermining economic growth and human capital development.

She identified poverty, poor access to nutritious foods, weak sanitation and hygiene, ignorance and harmful breastfeeding beliefs as major causes of malnutrition.

The nutrition officer also listed insecurity, poor food production methods, large family sizes and weak healthcare and road access among contributing factors.

She noted that malnutrition remained a serious threat to Nigeria’s development, especially among children under five years.

According to Shar, malnutrition contributes to poor cognitive development, weak immunity and low educational attainment among affected children.

On maternal health indicators, Shar said only 49.1 per cent of pregnant women attended at least four antenatal care visits in Benue.

She added that 33.2 per cent of pregnant women did not attend antenatal care throughout pregnancy.

Shar further disclosed that 63.9 per cent of women received iron, folic acid or multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy.

She said 29.47 per cent of women of reproductive age in the state were anaemic.

The official also expressed concern over declining breastfeeding practices across the state in recent years.

She said: “Early breastfeeding declined from 47.4 per cent in 2021 to 29.4 per cent in 2024.

“Exclusive breastfeeding also dropped from 56.8 per cent to 39.9 per cent within the same period.”

Shar said only 16 per cent of children aged between six and 23 months received minimum dietary diversity.

She added that just 36.8 per cent of children met the minimum meal frequency requirement needed for healthy growth and development.

According to her, stunting prevalence stood at 25.3 per cent, while wasting was recorded at 6.7 per cent statewide.

She said Vitamin A supplementation coverage declined sharply from 62 per cent in 2018 to 45.1 per cent in 2024.

“Only 21.7 per cent of children aged 12 to 59 months were dewormed,” Shar added.

Benue Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, described the state’s malnutrition rate as unfortunate and deeply concerning.

Ogwuche said the government recognised the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life to national and societal development.

“We are committed to improving the nutritional well-being of our women and children,” he said.

He pledged that Benue Government would implement strategies discussed during the meeting to tackle malnutrition and improve healthcare outcomes.

Ogwuche also commended UNICEF and the United States government for supporting nutrition and healthcare interventions in the state.

Earlier, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, stressed the importance of investing in children during their first 1,000 days.

Chiluwe said the period remained critical to lifelong health, development and future productivity.

She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Benue and Enugu states in addressing malnutrition and improving child and maternal health outcomes.

Chiluwe also praised both state governments for demonstrating political commitment toward improving nutrition and healthcare services for women and children. (NAN)

Update news