A civil society group, Civil Society- Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), concerned with raising awareness on the need to improve on nutrition to maintain healthy living in Nigeria, has indicated preparedness to establish nutrition clubs in Enugu state schools.
Enugu state coordinator, CS-SUNN, Dr. Chuka Agunwa, who disclosed weekend at a one day Media Engagement Programme on Nutrition Advocacy, Maternity Protection and Exclusive Breastfeeding, said there was need that children be taught the importance of adequate nutrition from their youth.
Dr. Agunwa said for a pilot scheme, they would set up the nutrition clubs in five public secondary schools.
According to him, lack of adequate nutrition was the cause of most deaths in the society.
“Malnutrition causes most deaths and sicknesses people suffer today,” Agunwa said.
He said that the clubs when thus established would be meeting once in a month to “drive home the need for children to be aware of the importance for adequate nutrition to maintain a healthy living.”
Agunwa lamented that the allocation for the health sector in Nigeria has been poor, pointing out that the World Health Organisation, WHO, had estimated that yearly budget for health should at least be 15% of the annual budget.
He expressed joy however that with CS-SUNN input in Enugu state, the state now has a five-year budget plan, adding that before now, Enugu did not have a definitive nutrition budget.
