Nigeria’s Hidden Hunger – Anaemia Crisis Looms Large

From Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

A ticking time bomb threatens the health and well-being of millions of Nigerians, particularly women and children, as the country grapples with an alarming anaemia crisis.

According to Mr. Sunday Okorokwo, Executive Director of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), the situation is dire, with 67 women out of 10 in the country suffering from anaemia.

Speaking at a three-day capacity-building workshop on strengthening the media’s role in anaemia prevention in Nigeria, organized by CS-SUNN, Mr. Okorokwo emphasized the severity of the crisis, highlighting the devastating consequences of anaemia, including complications during childbirth, low-birth-weight babies, and even death.

“The possibility of a woman losing her life during childbirth is very high,” he warned.

The CS-SUNN Executive Director stressed that the situation is not limited to pregnant women, as children, adolescent girls, and boys are also vulnerable to anaemia.

“The consequences are far-reaching, affecting not only the health of individuals but also the country’s economy and development,” Mr. Okorokwo said.

Mr. Okorokwo attributes the menace to a combination of factors, including poor diet, lack of access to healthcare, and socioeconomic inequality.

“Many Nigerians rely on staple foods that are high in carbohydrates but low in essential micronutrients like iron and folate,” he explained.

Despite the challenges, Mr. Okorokwo said there is hope, as the Nigerian government has launched initiatives to address anaemia, including the National Nutrition Policy and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement.

“Community-based nutrition programs are also playing a key role in promoting dietary diversity and increasing access to nutrient-rich foods,” he added.

One promising solution, he said, is Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS), which provides essential vitamins and minerals to pregnant women.

“MMS has been effective in reducing anaemia rates and improving birth outcomes,” Mr. Okorokwo said.

However, access to MMS is limited, and more needs to be done to make it available to all who need it.

The Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is another initiative making a difference by providing funding for nutrition interventions, including the procurement of MMS and other essential commodities.

However, funding is inadequate, and more needs to be done to address the scale of the problem.

Administrative bottlenecks are also hindering progress, with commodities often stuck in warehouses and healthcare facilities lacking the resources to distribute them to those who need them. “This is unacceptable, and the government must take urgent action to address these issues,” Mr. Okorokwo said.

Mr. Okorokwo calls for increased funding for nutrition interventions, improved access to MMS, and the resolution of administrative bottlenecks.

“We must prioritize anaemia prevention and treatment, promote dietary diversity, engage with communities, and hold our leaders accountable,” he said.

The time to act is now. “We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to tackle this crisis head-on,” Mr. Okorokwo emphasized. “Let’s work together to make Nigeria anaemia-free.”