The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has tasked governments at the Federal and State level, including parents, to prioritize the first 1,000 days of life of children, as it is a critical stage of life that determines the cognitive and physical growth of children, and their survival.
It stressed that special attention must be placed on the nutritional, immunization, and hygiene needs of children, including the mothers, in order to ensure that they grow well to become productive adults.
Lafiya360 reports that the United Nations body revealed that while 80 per cent of children’s brain is formed within the first 1,000 days of their life, they also develop the full extent of their cognitive capacities.
Furthermore, it disclosed that malnutrition adversely affects the brain development of children, including stunting, which is an irreversible but preventable disease that limits children’s cognitive prowess, affects their health, and reduce their chances of growing into productive adults.
It, therefore, urged parents, especially mothers to ensure that their new borns are breastfed for at least six months, feed nutritious meals, receive scheduled immunization, and practice personal and environmental hygiene.
UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Tushar Rane, disclosed this during a media dialogue in Gombe State, on the importance of the first 1,000 days of life to a child.
He said, “The first 1,000 days are about nourishing bodies, brains and the future. 270 days is for pregnancy, while the remaining 730 days are from birth to two years.
“Children from poor families are at greatest risk of malnutrition in the first 1,000 days. It is important to let the public know that they must not miss the first 1,000 days of the child’s life, especially to the mothers, to ensure their development and growth.
“State governments must ensure that we do not leave any child behind, and enhance its efficiency to ensure we do not leave any area or vulnerable community behind.
“The early years set the lifelong foundation for human capital. Socio-economic skills predict future success and productivity. A well-nourished, healthy workforce is a precondition for sustainable development.
“Malnutrition also set in early. Between 18 to 23 months is the time to focus on nutrition the most. After this period, it becomes too late to reverse the consequences of malnutrition – stunting. Between 0 to 5 months, prevalence of stucit g is about 20 percent, but between 18 to 23 months, it increases to nearly 60 per cent.”
In her remarks, the Acting Executive Secretary, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Dr. Mariam Abubakar, said, “Maternal undernutrition contributes to adverse effects in both mothers and infants, including increased cesarean delivery rates and risk of maternal mortality in mothers. Under nutrition generally lowers educational attainment, lower economic productivity, increases morbidity and shortens life expectancy.
“We must encourage mothers to breastfeed their children, as breast milk is the first immunization for every child because it contains antibodies, improves bonding. Breastfeeding is the golden standard of feeding children that are below six months.”
UNICEF’s Communications Officer in Bauchi, Opeyemi Olagunju, added: “There is a need to create awareness about the importance of 1,000 days in a child’s life, from conception to the second birthday, which is critical to ensure that children survive and thrive.
“We also want to highlights the threat to a healthy first 1,000 days of life of children in Bauchi Field Office focus states (Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa), while developing strategic ways to address the threats.
“This media dialogue will also look at the role of the government, and relevant stakeholders in addressing the threat. The government is a critical factor in addressing social issues. There is also the role of traditional leaders, community structures, etc. We need to drive advocacy for action on ensuring healthy first 1,000 days of children.”