Child malnutrition continues to affect thousands of young children across Nigeria. Following the successful implemention of Phase 1, which reached 112 children, Cardgoal and the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) carried out Phase 2 of the Gift Health Nutrition Program at Massey Street Children’s Hospital to further tackle the growing concern of malnutrition.
This second phase focuses on identifying and supporting children aged 6–59 months who are facing acute malnutrition. The program combined screening, caregiver education, and direct nutrition support to ensure that vulnerable children received immediate attention.
Why This Intervention Was Necessary
According to a UNICEF report published in June 2024, around 11 million children in Nigeria are experiencing severe child food poverty. This means that one in every three children under five years old is malnourished.
Nigeria has approximately 31 million children under five, and malnutrition contributes to nearly half of under-five deaths. It can also lead to:
- Stunted growth
- Delayed mental and organ development
- Low immunity
- Reduced cognitive ability
- These realities highlight why community-based interventions like Gift Health are urgently needed.
Goal of Phase 2
The main goal of Phase 2 was simple and clear:
To contribute to the reduction of malnutrition among children aged 6 months to 5 years.
The broader target includes:
- 215 children
- 215 caregivers
Profile of the Beneficiaries
Most of the children screened fell within the 12–23 months age bracket. This is a particularly critical period for physical and cognitive development. Nutritional gaps during this stage can have lasting consequences if not addressed early.
Key Activities Carried Out in Phase 2 of Gift Health
The program focused on both immediate support and long-term awareness. Key activities included:
- Age, Height & Weight Measurement
- Children were assessed using WHO/UN weight-for-age standards. Due to limitations with MUAC readings, weight-for-age analysis was used to properly determine nutritional status.
- Nutrition Screening
- Screening helped identify children who were below recommended growth standards and required urgent support.
- Food Demonstrations
- Caregivers were shown how to prepare affordable and nutritious local meals suitable for young children.
- Caregiver Sensitization
- Parents and caregivers received education on child nutrition, feeding practices, and early warning signs of malnutrition.
- Distribution of RUTF and Supplements
- Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and nutritional supplements were provided to children who were identified as malnourished.
What the Data Revealed
The findings from Phase 2 were concerning and highlighted the depth of the challenge:
1. 93% of children assessed were malnourished, while only 7% were within the normal range.
2. Most children screened were between 12–23 months old, which is a critical growth period.
3. The beneficiaries were evenly split: 50% male and 50% female.
Economic Challenges of Families
The caregiver interviews revealed a strong connection between household income levels and child nutrition outcomes. Most responding households reported earning below ₦50,000 monthly. Additionally, 68% of caregivers stated they do not have access to emergency funds. This lack of financial resilience increases the risk of poor feeding practices, limited food variety, and delayed medical care when children fall sick.
The data clearly indicates that malnutrition in this setting is not only a health issue but also a socio-economic challenge.
Achievement So Far
1. 112 children reached in Phase 1
2. 56 children reached in Phase 2
3. 168 children reached in total
4. The intervention successfully identified malnourished children and provided immediate nutritional support
Conclusion
Phase 2 confirms that malnutrition remains a serious concern among young children at Massey Street Children’s Hospital. While the intervention has been effective in identifying and supporting vulnerable children, the data shows that long-term progress will require continuous effort.
Next Steps Include:
Cardgoal did not simply launch the program and step away. The organization remains actively committed to the recovery and progress of the children enrolled in the program.
To ensure lasting impact, the team will conduct 30-day follow-up assessments to track each child’s recovery and weight gain, carry out regular nutrition screening and monitoring, and continue practical caregiver counseling on affordable and nutritious local foods. This effort will also be strengthened through sustained collaboration with healthcare workers to provide consistent medical guidance and support.