COVID-19: Nutritionists call on government to support the masses to feed well

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By Francis Ogwo

As the global community battles with the harsh economy that comes with the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria has called on government to provide nutritional support and favorable policies towards avoiding malnutrition and related deaths.

This call was contained in a release signed by its President, Dr Bathlomew Brai.
The release also contained nutritional advisory and focused on six bullet points including: newborn, infants and young children, school age children, adolescents & adults, COVID 19 infected persons and communities.

On newborn infants, the society advocated exclusive breastfeeding as the safest, and that it should be sustained for up to 24 months. It also advised that mothers in isolation should be encouraged to ensure hygiene in managing their breastmilk while disinfecting their pump and other gadgets.

One important factor according to the statement is the need for mothers to put on facemasks before breastfeeding.
The release stated that children, especially those in public schools and beneficiaries of school feeding programmes, may be particularly disadvantaged, and advised parents to provide extra meals per day for the children. In this regard, the society urged the government to sustain the feeding program during the lockdown.

Adolescents and adults were advised to embrace appropriate diet and lifestyle measures, and adequate sleep while settling for food substitutes to meet budgets.

The safety of children was stressed to be taken as priority during the lockdown, as parents were advised not to take children to markets and malls at this time.
Furthermore, it advised that older people should be properly fed owing to the high mortality rate.

The government was therefore encouraged to make efforts in stabilizing food supply and regulate food prices. It suggested release of food stocks from grain reserves, support given to small holder farmers for productivity, set up of surveillance system including monitoring, and support indigent households” the statement added.

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