In Bauchi State, the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), comprising a coalition of non-profit NGOs, has raised alarm over the persistent risk malnutrition poses to child survival in Nigeria.
During a media briefing in Bauchi, Secretary of CS-SUNN, Dabis Mwaike, highlighted the ongoing challenges stemming from malnutrition in the country.
Reflecting on a decade of existence, CS-SUNN has been active in combating malnutrition through collaborative efforts with government bodies, development partners, the media, and local communities.
Despite the collaborative initiatives, Mwaike emphasized that malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health concern, jeopardizing child well-being, growth, and overall development.
Citing statistics from the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), she pointed out that in Bauchi State, the stunting rate was recorded at 46%, wasting at 9.5%, underweight at 28.2%, and overweight at 0.5%, underscoring the pressing need for immediate action.
Another critical obstacle hindering the efforts to eradicate malnutrition, as highlighted by the CS-SUNN Secretary, is the issue of insufficient funding.