By Chimezie Godfrey
The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has called on government at all levels to prioritize nutrition in the country’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
In a statement on Friday, which was signed by its Executive Secretary, Beatrice Eluaka, the organization stressed that protecting the poor and most vulnerable for hunger and malnutrition will be necessary for COVID-19 response efforts to succeed in Nigeria.
Eluaka commended the Federal Government for coming up with preventive, containment and recovery measures since the outbreak of the virus in the country.
She also commended the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Presidential Task force on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health and all relevant bodies and agencies for implementing a national response strategy to tackle the menace, adding that this has seen Nigeria achieve some positive results in the containment of the virus in the country.
She however, advised that in the rush to stall the spread of COVID-19, Nigeria should consider the disasterious increase in malnutrition in both the immediate and long term.
“Governments, businesses, civil society and international agencies need to take urgent and coordinated action to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic turning into a global food and humanitarian crisis.
“CS-SUNN advises that in the rush to stall the spread of COVID-19, Nigeria should consider the disastrous increases in malnutrition in both the immediate and long term.
“Communities, vulnerable groups especially women dealing with malnutrition and children suffering Severe Acute Malnutrition, are more likely to be affected because of the pandemic. Since malnutrition weakens the immune system, these populations are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19.
“The spread of COVID-19, with attendant measures put in place by government to curb it, is now threatening many Nigerians already made vulnerable by food and nutrition insecurity, malnutrition and the effects of conflict and other disasters. There is a “hunger virus” that is slowly ravaging the most vulnerable groups in the country.
“Though Nigeria, like all other nations of the world, is navigating uncertain times, there is urgent need for governments, at all levels, to prioritize nutrition in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
“The alliance restates that adequate nutrition is key to building immunity, protection against illness and infection, and supporting recovery from illnesses.
“Efforts to preserve and promote adequate nutrition, including Exclusive breastfeeding, must be part of COVID-19 prevention strategies to build the resilience of individuals and communities in Nigeria.
“Healthy and adequate diets are key for boosting immunity and preventing non-communicable diseases that are risk factors for higher COVID-19 morbidity and mortality,” Eluaka said.
According to her, to keep nutrition at the center of food and nutrition security efforts in Nigeria, there should be integration of nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions in Nigeria’s COVID-19 response by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
She said,”The PTF should employ a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach towards combating the pandemic with focus on improving the nutritional status of Nigerians especially the vulnerable members of the society.
“Implementation of social protection measures for the poor and most marginalized including refugees and internally displaced persons. The poor and most marginalized are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and must be supported to protect themselves from the virus and to stay resilient throughout the crisis and after.
“Sustain the functioning of local food systems in Nigeria. The alliance calls on governments, at National and sub-national levels, to support small scale farmers, small and medium sized enterprises as well as local Civil Society Organizations to continue to produce and deliver affordable, adequate, safe and nutritious foods and to minimize the impact of lock-downs and quarantines on planting, harvesting, food processing and access to markets for suppliers and consumers.”
Eluaka urged the government to ensure adequate domestic funding for nutrition programmes and interventions as captured in the 2020 annual budgets at the national and sub-national levels, among others.
She commends state governments like; Lagos, Kano, Niger, Kaduna, and Nasarawa, who have made provision in the 2020 budget for nutrition, and ask that they release same on time.
She added that this is to ensure continuity in the fight against malnutrition and to mitigate the burden of malnutrition in the country.
“States run the risk of increased burden of malnutrition if they allow the emergency situation of COVID-19 stop them from funding and implementing nutrition programs and interventions in the country.
“Nigerians should continue to consume adequate diets to boost their immunity and support recovery of those infected by the virus.
“The general public should stay safe, avoid dispersing fake news on the outbreak and wash their hands frequently.
“The public should also maintain social distancing, practice respiratory hygiene when they sneeze or cough and seek medical care immediately, if they come down with any of the symptoms of the virus.
“Nigerians should maintain and observe the restriction on movements directive by the government as this is key to prevent further spread of the virus,” she said.