Earlier this week, the Enugu State Ministry of Budget and Planning, in collaboration with UNICEF, held a meeting with nutrition stakeholders including; government officials, policymakers and development partners.
The UNICEF-supported platform emphasized the importance of nutrition and the need for the government’s commitment towards the implementation of the ‘State Multisectoral Plan on Nutrition’ that is in line with the implementation of the National Policy on Nutrition.
Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Enugu, took advantage of the occasion to raise awareness about Enugu State’s 15% stunting rate, which results in approximately 147,816 children being shorter than expected for their age, with associated poor cognitive functions. She also noted that only 11% of children aged 0–6 months are breastfed exclusively, stating : “Unfortunately, malnutrition has become a silent emergency in the state, and this silent emergency receives far too little attention”.