Yusuf swears in first female chief judge in Kano

<p>…UNICEF says first 1,000 days most important in survival of a child</p>, <p>…pregnant women skip antenatal care over high transport in Bauchi</p>, <p>Pregnant women and nursing mothers at PHC Duguri, Alkaleri, Bauchi State… PHOTO: Rauf Oyewole</p>, <p>Many families are wiggling in hunger. The condition has been exacerbated by the sudden announcement of an increase of fuel price. Many poor families now skip meals as their income has dwindled to almost zero. Pregnant women who require a balanced diet for child brain development go to bed hungry.</p>, <p>Health experts believe that the first 1,000 days in the life of a child determine survival and brain development. The North East has recorded a high rate of stunting, severe acute malnutrition and wasting as caused by poverty.</p>, <p>For Amina Mustapha, who took her 15 months malnourished daughter to the Primary Health Care in Duguri, Alkaleri Council of Bauchi to get the RUTF –(Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food) a life-saving essential supply item that treats severe wasting in children under 5 years old was told that the food was out of stock. She looked worried, the thought of a fruitless journey overwhelmed her and started contemplating the next visit.</p>, <p>Yalo Community is about 25 kms from Duguri where she boarded a truck conveying goods to market. “I will need N1,000 for Okada back home or wait till evening when people will be returning from the market.”</p>, <p>Her daughter was ostensibly hungry and crying but Amina was helpless. “I will trek because my baby is hungry and I don’t have any money on me to feed her.”</p>, <p>A staff of the clinic, Yahaya Duguri said that most of the patients –particularly pregnant women and nursing mothers are skipping their antenatal care and immunisation due to transport fare and economic hardship. “Their number has reduced compared to previous attendance we normally record. Most of them are complaining about a hike in transportation fare. You know most of them are from neighbouring communities, they have to hire a bike.”<