Lagos State says child wasting has dropped from 15% to 8% in Health District III as government intensifies nutrition and maternal healthcare interventions
Lagos Reduces Child Malnutrition as Wasting Rate Drops From 15% to 8%
The Lagos State Government has recorded a significant reduction in child malnutrition across Health District III, with the prevalence of wasting among children dropping from 15 per cent to 8 per cent.
The government, through Health District III, disclosed this while distributing essential healthcare commodities to Primary Healthcare Centres across Ibeju-Lekki, Eti-Osa and Epe.
Speaking during the distribution exercise held on Thursday at the District Headquarters in Ikoyi, the Permanent Secretary, Health District III, Dr Monsurat Adeleke, said the progress was achieved through the district’s quarterly nutrition intervention programme and sustained community-based interventions.
Adeleke attributed the improvement to consistent government support, regular nutrition screening and interventions targeted at mothers, caregivers and children.
She said nutrition officers at the various PHCs would continue to organise food demonstration classes for mothers and caregivers, using the cooking utensils provided under the intervention programme.
The Permanent Secretary also said the district was intensifying efforts to reduce maternal mortality, particularly through improved prevention and management of Postpartum Haemorrhage, PPH.
According to her, calibrated obstetric drapes were being distributed to PHCs to help healthcare workers accurately measure blood loss during childbirth, enabling faster diagnosis and improved emergency management of PPH.
Adeleke also stressed the importance of family planning in achieving healthy birth spacing, improving maternal health and securing better health outcomes for mothers and children.
“I am calling on residents to improve their health-seeking behaviour by visiting the nearest PHC to access these lifesaving services and to take full advantage of the comprehensive services available at PHCs because the facilities now provide quality, affordable and people-centred healthcare in line with global best practices”, she said.
Responding, the Apex Nurse of Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA, Nr. Eunice Shofolahan, commended the Lagos State Government for its sustained investment in healthcare delivery and pledged that health workers would ensure the judicious use of the equipment and commodities provided.
The items distributed under the intervention included family planning commodities and consumables, cooking utensils for nutrition food demonstration classes and calibrated obstetric drapes for the prevention and management of Postpartum Haemorrhage.
The latest intervention forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery, tackle malnutrition and improve maternal and child health outcomes across communities.
