The Matron of Comprehensive Medical Center (CMC) in Akwuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, Mrs. Josephine Ajaegbo, has emphasized the importance of proper nutrition for children, highlighting the Nonye Soludo Healthy Pap as a valuable solution to malnutrition. Addressing mothers during a weekly antenatal session, she encouraged them to incorporate this nutritious pap into their babies’ diets.
Mrs. Ajaegbo shared concerning statistics from UNICEF, which ranks Nigeria as the second-highest country for childhood stunting, with a national prevalence rate of 32% among children under five. She noted that approximately 2 million Nigerian children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, yet only a fraction receive treatment. According to her, the Nonye Soludo Healthy Pap is a vital intervention to promote healthy growth and tackle malnutrition in Anambra State.
The state has adopted a structured approach to distribute the healthy pap across all 21 local government areas, establishing referral centers in each council area to facilitate access. Each center maintains a database that monitors distribution and tracks children’s recovery progress to ensure effective outcomes.
Mrs. Ajaegbo praised the initiatives led by the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, through her NGO “Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo.” The organization has implemented various programs, including Saturday workouts, farm seedling distribution, the Nonye Soludo organic farm, a school club, and a pad bank initiative, all of which support state health strategies to address food insecurity and other socio-economic challenges.
Registered midwife Nurse Chinasa Chukwueze also spoke at the event, describing the nutritional benefits of the healthy pap. She explained that the pap is a natural mix of groundnut, corn, and soybean, providing essential vitamins and minerals like B1, B2, B3, iron, carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber, protein, and zinc—all crucial for healthy child growth.
Preparing the pap is simple: mix it with water, add it to boiling water, and stir until it thickens and turns golden brown.
Mrs. Nonye Soludo launched the Nonye Healthy Living Pap on August 6, 2024, at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka. Her goal is to combat malnutrition in Anambra, offering a natural and nutrient-rich solution tailored to children with specific nutritional needs.
