‘Nigeria’s health index, indicator of malnutrition epidemic’
By Sade Oguntola
L-R Dr. Isat Iwot, Occupational Health Manager,
Mobil Producing Nigeria, Dr. Olayinka Ayankogbe,
Senior Consultant, University of Lagos and
Professor Obafemi Ajibola, MD, New Nigeria
Foundation at the last World Malaria Day
Conference
in Lagos organised by New Nigeria
Foundation
in conjuction with ExxonMobil.
AN expert in
nutrition, Professor
Tola Atinmo, has attributed Nigeria’s poor health index to an ongoing and silent epidemic of malnutrition, that is not being tackled.
Speaking at the Nestle Nutrition Media workshop on “Infant Nutrition and Young Child Feeding” in Lagos, he said malnutrition contributed to about half of cases of infant mortality, even though this is something that is preventable.
He explained, “Those you see in the hospital as kwashiorkor and marasmos are the severe ones. There are millions of other cases of moderately and mild malnutrition with no outward signs of problems but which impairs growth and development of millions of children.”
However, Prof. Atinmo declared that in children, malnutrition was found to start very early in life while they were yet in the womb and that “the time between two and 20 months is the most vulnerable period for these children to be affected. By 24 months, irreversible damage has already been done.”
Also attributing poor nutritional situation to poor understanding of the basic fundamental principles of nutrition, especially at the policy implementation level, he said as a way forward, nutrition should be integrated into every aspect of national development. In addition, more awareness should be created on the concept of nutrition in terms of food, healthcare and environmental hygiene as well as more work force in nutrition be provided to adequately inform people on how to attain good nutrition.
Dr. Joe Orisakwe, a paediatrician and former chief medical director, Imo State Hospital Board said though the nutritional needs of all individuals vary based on several factors, but for children, the breast milk is still the most nutritious and adequate feed. “Except for human milk, no other food appears to supply all the essentials for any age group for a prolonged period. Since babies have to contend with growth, infants and young children should be provided with good nutrition to assure optimised growth and cognitive development, thus in turn assure a healthy and wealthy nation,” he said..
Meanwhile, Professor Kikelomo Osinusi, a consultant paediatrician and former president Paediatrics Association of Nigeria from the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan, declared that breast feeding has been shown to be an important child survival strategy through which more that 1.5 million infants can be saved yearly when it is done in most favourable form.
According to her, “breast-fed babies have lower risks of various diseases like diarrhoea, and chest infections and women that breast-feed stand to have a lot of benefits to gain too. The mother too is better for it.”
Redeemers University VC expresses optimism on MDGs
By Seye Adeniyi
“THOUGH the challenges of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially those that are directly related to health development in developing countries like Nigeria are really herculiar judging by our slow attitude to healthcare development, yet they are easily achievable. But my fear is whether we can meet such MDGs’ challenges within the set or stipulated time”.
This was the response of Professor Oyewale Tomori, the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bode Akindele Foundation (BAF) while responding to questions posed to him and other members of the BAF by journalists during the occasion of the official handover of the multi-million dollar state-of-the-art modern medical and laboratory equipment to the Alhaja Rabiatu Akindele Medical (ARAMED) Centre Ibadan, Oyo State by the Bode Akindele Foundation (BAF) at the hospital’s premises along Lagos-Ibadan express way.
Prof. Tomori said it is true that much is being done by the government in making sure that the objectives and aims of the MDGs are met within the set period, but judging from the level of corruption in the country, especially among those in government circles, coupled with the unserious attitude of government officials saddled with the responsibilities of meeting the MDGs’ challenges and implementing it, it is very clear that the country cannot meet the challenges of the MDGs within the stipulated time.
The vice-chancellor of Redeemer’s University further frowned at the way and manner top government officials, ministers, senators, House of Rep members, as well as government officials in the nation’s health ministry and other sectors of the economy are looting the government treasury, sharing tax payers’ money among themselves as evident in the recently discovered fraud at the Federal Ministry of Health, a situation which he described as a total shame and serious embarrassment to the image of the country considering the profile and personality of those involved.
Asked to explain his reason for the optimism opinion and view about Nigeria meeting the MDGs goals, Prof. Tomori said it is a pity that Nigeria does not learn from the past as well as from the African neighbouring countries like Ghana and South Africa, yet we claim to be giant of Africa. “We need to open our eyes wide and swallow our ego of being called the giant of Africa, when indeed we are not doing what a leader should be doing.
“We need to learn from countries like Ghana, South Africa and other small Africa countries on how they are reshaping their healthcare sector and meeting the MDGs’ challenges. Ghana for instance, is a good example, go to that country and you will pity Nigeria. When did they get back on their feet? But look at what the country is doing in terms of good healthcare services for the citizens.“Honestly, we need to swallow our pride and ego, learn from those countries and achieve better results in terms of healthcare services,” he advised.
