36% of Pregnant Women in Adamawa Affected by Anaemia says UNICEF

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that 36% of pregnant women in Adamawa State are affected by anaemia, a serious health risk for both mothers and babies. Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, made the revelation in Yola, highlighting the state’s worsening malnutrition crisis. According to UNICEF, 48.6% of children in the state are stunted, 7% are wasted, and over 80% suffer from food poverty.  

To address the crisis, UNICEF has supplied 4,290 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) to the state government. These supplements, which contain 23 essential vitamins, minerals, and protein, are expected to benefit around 85,000 children, helping to improve nutrition and reduce malnutrition-related health issues such as stunting and anaemia.  

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Adamawa State’s Commissioner for Health, Felix Tangwami, attributed the high malnutrition rates to ongoing insecurity, which has severely restricted farmers’ access to land and reduced food availability. However, he commended the state government for prioritising healthcare and increasing its investment in food supplements, which rose from N100 million in 2023 to N300 million this year.  

With UNICEF’s contribution, this investment will total N600 million, aimed at improving child health and nutrition across the state. Dr Bashir Sulaiman, Chairman of the Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency, expressed hope that these efforts would significantly reduce malnutrition and boost child development in the region.