Malnutrition: Nutritionist appeals for procurement of therapeutic food


By Elizabeth Eze

The State Nutritional Officer, Ministry of Health, Mr Cyprian Ogbonna has called on State  government for procurement of therapeutic food. 

The Nutritionist made the appeal on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki. 


Ogbonna revealed that before the Corinavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, 3000 piece of the ready to eat therapeutic food was exhausted. 


He appealed that the procurement be made to reduce cases of malnourished  children in the state. 


He described the therapeutic food as a ready to eat and nutrient-dense food used to treat acute malnutrition in children. 


He said the food contain added minerals and vitamins. 


He stated that there was need to continue the dietary supplement because of the testimonies and impacts, revealed by parents of the children. 


He explained that malnutrition was more sever in rainy season because it was a farming when nothing might be left, adding that children could starve.


"We hope the dietary supplement be procured to safe lives of the children. 


"Such children can not be seen in churches, schools or social functions because they are trapped with their parents at home,"Ogbonna said. 


He further revealed that the ministry in partnership with donor, UNICEF, treated 2, 976 children between March to August 2020 with the food.


He however, solicited for support from partners to safe lives of malnourished children. 

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