USAID Ranks Nigeria As Second Worst Country For Malnutrition

USAID Ranks Nigeria As Second Worst Country For Malnutrition

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has identified Nigeria as the second most severely affected nation globally in terms of malnutrition.

Anne Patterson, the Director of the USAID Mission, revealed this disconcerting ranking on Wednesday during the Trade Fair for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods and Essential Nutrition Supplies in Abuja.

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Referring to the latest Food Consumption and Micronutrients Survey conducted in 2021, Patterson explained that the incidence of severe malnutrition among Nigerian children surged from seven percent to twelve percent over the past five years.

This dire situation places Nigeria as the second country with the highest prevalence of malnutrition.

She also pointed out that merely 2.8 percent of these afflicted children received treatment through ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) within the previous year.

Patterson highlighted the urgency of these statistics and expressed gratitude for local RUTF producers, including Ariel Foods, Emzor-Foods, DABS, and Nutri-K.

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Patterson emphasized the United States government’s eagerness to enhance collaboration with private sector entities actively working to combat malnutrition.

She cited an example of a recent partnership with Emzor Food and Beverages to establish a medical-grade groundnut paste processing facility.

Nebeolisa Anako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, acknowledged malnutrition as a significant burden demanding concerted collaborative efforts for effective resolution.