The Lagos State Government has called for proper hygiene in the handling and preparation of food to reduce malnutrition in children across the state.
Speaking at a sensitization advocacy programme organised for Food Handlers and Health Teachers in the Lagos Central Senatorial District in Surulere on Thursday, Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Aderonke Odeneye said that the programme is aimed at eradicating malnutrition in Lagos State.
She said the effects of consuming unwholesome food that contains infectious or toxic substances is injurious to health adding that malnutrition remains a major health problem with consequences that are too grave to be ignored.
She reveals that long-term malnutrition leads to stunted growth, non-communicable chronic diet related disorder, increase morbidity and mortality.
The Permanent Secretary represented by the Director, Environmental Education Unit, Monsurat Banire disclosed further that it is estimated that 30%of deaths in children under 5years of age are attributed to mild malnutrition.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the overall goal of Nigeria’s food and Nutrition policy is structured towards increase awareness on the need to eat healthy, ensure good nutrition for sustainable energy and good health.
Odeneye states that the Ministry is determined to continue embark on sensitization and awareness compaign in Lagos state to ensure compliance with best standard practices to ensure quality, safe and hygenic food.
She noted that UNICEF has been supporting Nigeria’s community -based programme in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition adding that the programme has grown significantly to become one of the largest UNICEF-SUPPORTED treatment programmes in the world.
She maintained that statistics have shown that 50% of cases of children with nutrition related issues in their first 1000days on earth are due to excessive feeding or under feeding which results in stunted growth in the children as they grow.
The facilitator, Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry from Lagos State University, Prof. Oluwatosin Adu said the problems associated with food safety and poor nutrition are real adding that adequate Nutrition is everyone business
He called on all participants to engage in safe food practice which will in turn help reduce the rate of illness and malnutrition resulting from improper handling of food.
The coordinator, Nutrition Desk Officer, Aderemi Falaye called on the Stakeholders to desist from all activities that could make food unsafe for the people.
The Sensitization Advocacy programme, which had in attendance School Owners, Health Teachers and Food Handlers from Local Governments under the Lagos Central Senatorial District will be reciprocated in other Senatorial District in the state.