800 Women Die Of Malnutrition, Pregnancy Complications Daily – Expert
Solomon Attah,
Lafia
A senior lecturer with Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Mercy Asso has revealed that about eight hundred and thirty women die daily of pregnancy and nutrition related issues globally.
Asso, who is also a nutritionist with the Health Services Department of the university, said that the death ratio is one in every 30 women, while the death ratio for children is one in every 15 as result of poor nutrition.
Asso stated this at the one week intensive mandatory continuing professional development programme, with the theme Maternal Nutrition and Contraceptive Technology in Lafia.
She said: “There are actually women who are suffering from malnutrition as result of poor funding, lack of care and attention to their well being.
“And statistics has revealed that on a daily basis, eight hundred and thirty women die of pregnancy and nutrition related issues globally.
“And out of this figure, 99% are from the sub-Sahara region, which we are part of”, she explained.
According to Asso, with the high data of malnourished women, “it calls for our attention, it calls for refocus and it calls for a redirection of our resources”, see added.
She stressed the need for the State Government to meet up with the SDGs so as not to be left behind in this regard.
Asso, who described nutrition as the foundation for good health and life, called on the Nasarawa State Government to prioritize nutrition and increase funding as other components in the health sector.
She added: “What is needed is to look at how government can direct budgetary allocation to nutrition by increasing the percentage of funding for the well being of women and children.
“Our spending as government is not directed on nutrition, but infrastructure and others things which don’t form the foundation for life.
“If a woman is not properly educated, she will definitely lack the technical knowhow of taking care of her children.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry Of Health, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr Alanana Kigbu observed that the image and name of nurses is not good in the eye of the public, hence the worship to redeem their image.
He called on nurses to treat their patients nicely and equally, devoid of any sentiments.