Anaemia is a major public Health crisis wtih Nigeria being number 1 in africa and second globally.It affects 5 out of 10 of Women of reproductive age and 6 and out of 10 Children.Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS),
It is a condition that leaves people regardless of gender with low blood malnourished. Undernourished Girls grow into women with chronic health issues, reduced economic productivity, and higher risks during pregnancy.
The current situation can be reversed with adequate intake of Nutritious food and multiple micronutrient supplements.
Experts at a 3 day workshop for Broadcast Professionals on strengthening Media role for Anaemia prevention in Nigeria agreed that the prevention of Anemia goes beyond paying lip service as over 500 million Children are moderately and severely acutely malnourished.
The workshop organised by Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) calls on the Media to play a central role in enlightenment, policy engagement and community mobilisation, deepen understanding of anaemia, its prevalence, causes, impacts and prevention strategies particularly the scaling up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS).
Executive Director of CS-SUNN ,Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo who described the training as timely, noted that ending anaemia and malnutrition requires sustained public enlightenment to achieve behavioural change, mobilise communities and encourage policymakers take urgent action to tackle the challenge with adequate child nutrition fund.
He also expressed concern over the unavailability of MMS in some states, urging Policymakers to prioritise adequate procurement and distribution of the commodity.
On her part, CS-SUNN Senior Communications Officer, Lilian Okafor oberved that While journalists bring unique voices,platforms and perspectives the most powerful impact is when these individuals strengths are woven into a shared national narrative for change, Anaemia Prevention
Also speaking, Mr. Peters Olushola, Communications and Campaign Manager at CS-SUNN, said the training is designed to build the capacity of media professionals on how to generate compelling, evidence-based stories on anaemia that align with national nutrition goals as Sustainable health outcomes are achieved not only through sound policies and investments,but through informed public discourse shaped by credible, responsible and strategic media engagement.
The Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development, represented by Mathew Helen Achimugu noted that Nigeria continues to face significant challenges related to micronutrient deficiencies.she also emphasized the importance of harnessing the Child nutrition fund to expand access, availability and utilization of MMS and other nutriton commodity to address anaemia in Nigeria
Lead Facilitator,Mr. Geoffrey Njoku, urged journalists to prioritise human-interest angles in their reporting , stressed the importance of localising stories to reflect community realitie as this would help drive home the benefits of MMS and other interventions in combating malnutrition and reducing maternal mortality.
The 3-day media training by Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition themed Media as Catalysts for an Anaemia-Free Nigeria equipps over 30 media professionals from across 6 states in Nigeria .
