About 70,000 Nigerian Children May Die In 2016. That is what the Working to Improve Nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN) found out in its research.
The group, consisting of experts from federal and state governments, said about 370,000 children with acute malnutrition in Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe and Zamfara states would require life-saving treatment this year.
It said 58 per cent of children below five years in the five states are suffering from stunting.
Discussing the results at a meeting, the group noted that treatment for sever malnutrition is the main focus.
It also demanded that states increase attention given to prevention, which is critical to addressing the problem.
Confirming that many mothers do not understand the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, the experts recommended increasing activities to prevent malnutrition, such as encouraging women to attend health facilities for antenatal and postnatal care, where they could be given guidance on how to best feed their children, especially the most vulnerable children who are under two years.
