Dr. Nonye Soludo, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, launched the Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap initiative to combat child malnutrition in the state. During the launch in Awka, Dr. Soludo highlighted alarming statistics that show many children in Anambra are stunted, wasted, underweight, and unhappy due to malnutrition. Her Healthy Living Initiative aims to provide lasting solutions for children suffering from acute or minor malnutrition.
Dr. Soludo cited the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2021), which reported that only 23.8% of infants in Anambra are exclusively breastfed, and 45.6% of children meet the minimum diet diversity standard, both figures being lower than the South East zonal average. The Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap, a natural and free complementary meal, is part of the state’s efforts to address food insecurity and socio-economic challenges affecting children’s nutrition.
She urged parents to prioritize their children’s diets to eradicate malnutrition and improve Anambra’s ranking as a state with low under-five mortality rates. Dr. Chioma Mbachu, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, emphasized the importance of a balanced diet for children’s growth and development, advising against feeding them junk and processed foods.
Dr. Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health, described the Healthy Living Pap as a nutritious solution for children over six months old, complementing breast milk. He outlined a distribution plan across the 21 local government areas, ensuring access through referral centers and a database for monitoring children’s recovery progress. This initiative aims to provide every child in Anambra the opportunity to grow healthy and combat the threats of malnutrition.