ALHAJI Adamu Abdullahi, the District Head of Makarfi in Kaduna State, on Tuesday, advised parents of malnourished children to register such children at designated malnutrition centres for quick intervention.
He gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Makarfi, Kaduna State.
The district head said that the advice became imperative in view of the importance of nutrient-packed foods for the growth of the affected children.
Abdullahi, who is also the Silikin Zazzau, gave the advice after a tour of villages in his domain.
The traditional ruler said that the centres were established mainly to take care of malnourished children, stressing that such children required nutritious foods to live a better life.
He added that “the centres were created because of you, hence the need for parents with malnourished children to patronise them for quick recovery of their children.
“Foods at the centres have been tested and found to be effective in addressing the problem of malnutrition among children.
“The moment you start giving your malnourished children these nutritious foods, they will completely change and regain their health, energy and strength.”
The traditional ruler also stressed the need for balanced diet, especially among pregnant women and children under the age of five years.
ALSO READ: Ignore PDP over expulsion, Kashamu tells INEC, DSS, police
He said “the infant in the womb of a mother draws food from what the mother eats, hence the need for her to eat good food, balanced diet, to give her the strength and ability to deliver successfully.
“Children, especially those below the age of five years, require more nutritious foods than adults; therefore, as fathers, we must endeavour to provide such to enable them to grow healthier and stronger.”
Abdullahi also called on the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) at the community level to enjoy the benefits of the scheme.
He said “NHIS registration will give you the opportunity to enjoy healthcare services at a cheap rate because in the event of any sickness, you will be required to pay only 10 per cent of the total amount charged after treatment.
“So, I encourage you to go and register to be part of these benefits, because the scheme had been on for a very long time.
“Let me also use this medium to call on you to go and collect your Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and those that have not yet registered should try and do so before the closing date of Aug. 17.
“Remember, your vote is your right and your voter card is your weapon because it is the thing that will be used to elect credible leaders of your choice and without it, you have no vote.”
He called on parents to send their children to school, assuring that education was an asset that could not be taken away from their wards.
and then