By
Akanta Hannah
Taraba state has been ranked as the third state with the highest rate of mal-nutrition in the northeast with 45. 5% malnourishment among children.
This report is based on the 2023-2024 National Demographic Health Survey, which was revealed during a presentation by the state Specialist Hospital in Jalingo.
Malnutrition has been identified as a major challenge in Taraba State, particularly among children under five and pregnant women.
It is against this background that the Taraba state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, during the presentation by the state Specialist Hospital, declared a campaign tagged ” Operation Fight Malnutrition” from 2024 to 2025.
Governor Agbu Kefas stated that protecting and providing for Tarabans is his topmost priority , hence his administration’s resolve to address any challenges affecting the people of the state.
He therefore directed the immediate reactivation of the State Nutrition Committee to be led by the state Commissioner of Health, with support from the nutrition department of the specialist hospital.
The governor also instructed that all recommendations that will be made by the committee be implemented promptly pledging to immediately release funds to combat malnutrition in the state.
Earlier in her presentation, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics department of the state Specialist hospital, Grace Stephen, explained that malnutrition is a deficiency, excess, or imbalance in a person’s intake of energy or nutrients, which encompasses both under- and over-nutrition.
Stephen attributed the high rate of malnutrition to factors such as inadequate dietary intake, limited access to nutritious food, poor feeding practices, poverty, and food insecurity.
To address the crisis and save lives, the expert recommended measures such as supply of medications and therapeutic food and supplements, capacity building and personnel recruitment, implementing multi-sectoral interventions, promoting advocacy, and enacting policies and legislation.
If these strategies are effectively implemented, Taraba State would likely see a significant reduction in malnutrition rate paving way for a healthier population, especially among its most vulnerable groups.
