Rivers State Government Implements Strategies To Combat Escalating Malnutrition Rates

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated Integrative Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) centers to address malnutrition among children under five in the state. The launch, held at Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Emenike Mile 2 Diobu Port Harcourt, saw the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, revealing that one in nine children under the age of five in the state experiences stunted growth, a consequence of inadequate infant and early child feeding practices. Data from 2021 indicated that only 26% of children in the state were exclusively breastfed as recommended………CONTINUE READING

Dr. Oreh disclosed that healthcare providers have undergone training to detect malnutrition cases in various local governments and administer appropriate therapies promptly. During her welcome address, she emphasized the significance of addressing malnutrition, stating, “In our state, one out of every 9 children under the age of 5 is stunted in their growth. This situation can be attributed to poor nutrition and young child feeding practices, among other causes.”

The Commissioner highlighted the recent identification of several children with severe acute malnutrition through nutritional status assessments during the maternal neonatal and child health week in 2022 and 2023. The training aimed to increase awareness among healthcare providers for the identification of malnutrition cases across different local government areas.

Dr. Oreh reiterated the state government’s commitment to achieving a 60% rate of healthy children by 2025. The newly established IMAM centers, she emphasized, will play a crucial role in the proper management and treatment of malnutrition. Additionally, the centers will support long-term interventions such as nutrition education, infant and young child feeding, and food security.

She stated, “As a government, we are committed to achieving at least 60% of healthy children by the year 2025. We are intensifying efforts to ensure that our health facilities provide an enabling environment.”

Beatrice Ali, representing the Director and Head of the Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, lauded the Rivers State Government for successfully establishing the IMAM sites, expressing gratitude for their dedication to combating acute malnutrition in the state.

Notably, the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Valerie Fubara, officially launched the IMAM sites and received the title of the state’s nutrition champion from the Commissioner of Health. The commendable initiative aims to address the critical issue of malnutrition among children in Rivers State.

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