Rising Malnutrition Among Benue IDPs: Health Official Warns

Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services in Benue State, expressed concerns about the rising malnutrition rates among internally displaced persons (IDPs) during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week and the launch of the First 1,000 Days Campaign in Makurdi. He identified displacement, food insecurity, and poor sanitation as factors exacerbating the nutrition crisis, particularly affecting children and mothers.

Ogwuche described malnutrition as a significant public health challenge and called for urgent and sustained interventions to enhance nutrition outcomes in the state. He noted that the government is intensifying efforts to strengthen nutrition services in primary healthcare facilities through the expansion of Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and the promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.

The First 1,000 Days Campaign aims to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, emphasizing the critical period from conception to a child's second birthday for healthy growth and development.