3. Micronutrient supplementation
Many people suffer from ‘hidden hunger’ or micronutrient malnutrition, which also affects health and productivity. Micronutrient malnutrition can lower IQ, cause stunting and blindness in children, lower resistance to disease in both children and adults, and increase risks for both mothers and infants during childbirth.
Vitamin A capsule supplementation appears to be the only nationwide programme in Nigeria. It is integrated with immunisation drives and child health weeks. There are two rounds a year, and this explains why (although with some variations) the NDHS surveys show that as about one third in urban areas and one fifth in rural areas of the population of children have received vitamin A supplementation in the recent past.
However the assessment provided shows that the structure’s logistics need to be tightened up and that the programme could do with a thorough restructuring. Weaknesses of the system reflect weaknesses in the overall health system to reach out to rural communities in the north.