Health
Protein Deficiency: A Blight On Modern Healthcare
By Reginald Onabu
Modern medicine has made giant strides in the last 50 years. There has been appreciable progress in the evolution of healthcare and contemporary medical science. Today, the world is a much better place, in that regard.
New technologies and research are helping to produce drugs and medicines to improve treatments, cures and solutions. Several illnesses and diseases that were formerly thought to be incurable such as poliomyelitis, arthritis and bronchitis, are now almost treatable, or at least better managed.
Advances in modern medicine have developed to the point where doctors can perform virtual surgeries in different locations (without being physically present), use laser beams to correct eyesight, and create vaccines for viruses.
Whereas modern healthcare has truly impacted the lives of people positively, one issue that still presents a challenge is malnutrition. Malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy or nutrients.
Protein deficiency, a type of malnutrition, is the absence, or serious inadequacy, of protein and amino acids in the human body. A continuous intake of a poor diet, or foods devoid of protein, will lead to an overall decrease of protein nutrients in the body, causing malnutrition.
Protein deficiency is rampant in Nigeria, affecting millions of people, including children. Reports from the WHO indicate that malnutrition is the main cause of over 45 per cent of child deaths.
Additional reports from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Strategy For Infant and Young Child Feeding, have shown that one-third of children under five, in developing countries, are estimated to be stunted as a consequence of poor feeding and malnutrition.
Proteins are nutrients the body requires to function properly. Without proteins, the body can’t carry out its metabolic activities, as there will be no development and tissue repairs. Protein deficiency is the consequence of primary malnutrition, as it impedes the growth of infants and children.
Protein deficiency is strongly associated with ill health, both as a cause and as a consequence. People who are protein deficient are more susceptible to diseases and infections, due to a weakened immune system, and tend to take longer to recover from incidents of illness. Long episodes of sickness, can also result in protein deficiency, as individuals tend to eat and drink less when they are ill.
Individuals from the lower socio-economic classes (SECs) are more likely to be malnourished in any given country. A recent report, the Nigeria Protein Deficiency Survey Report showed that the bulk of individuals who are protein deficient are from the lower socio-economic classes. It also indicated that protein intake among Nigerians is generally insufficient.
This is as a result of food insecurity and lack of access to protein-rich foods. There are too many people with not enough to feed on. An increased incidence of protein deficiency also arises when the cost of protein foods is relatively high.
If an average Nigerian cannot afford protein foods within their means, the next alternative becomes any affordable food choice- which may not contain any, or enough, protein.
Protein deficiency can lead to kwashiorkor (hair loss, and a swollen stomach), marasmus (severe undernourishment, causing significant weight loss), hepatomegaly (abnormal enlargement of the liver) and even oedema (fluid retention in the hands and joints).
Invariably, pregnant women and children are at the greatest risk of being protein deficient. This is not only as a result of low dietary intake but also from higher physiological requirements; as pregnancy and childhood development often increase demand for specific nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Protein deficiency in children may lead to stunting, fatigue and diverse ailments as a result of reduced immune function. Childhood stunting is a situation where undernutrition has left a child too short for his or her age. It is also commonly associated with reduced appetite, developmental regression (no growth) and low levels of physical activity.
Evidently, protein deficiency is a blight on any community or society, aiming to achieve a natural, healthy life for its citizens
Governments and all stakeholders in the health and nutrition sectors have a role to play in dealing with protein deficiency in all its forms. The communities need to be sensitized on protein deficiency and its causes, and proper establishment of medical centres must be carried out nationwide to educate the masses.
To alleviate protein deficiency, and to truly achieve good health, Nigeria must awaken from its slumber and begin to take drastic measures to curtail this lingering challenge.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide indefinite strike, granting the federal government a two-week ultimatum to address lingering welfare issues affecting resident doctors across the country.
The decision was taken after an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Tuesday, where members reviewed assurances from government representatives and resolved to give dialogue another chance.
NARD said the suspension was informed by “progress made” in negotiations, particularly commitments on the prompt payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and steps toward resolving issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund.
The association did not declare a full resolution of the dispute. It noted that the government had shown “renewed willingness” to address the concerns that triggered the strike threat.
The association noted that while these engagements signalled a willingness by the government to resolve the dispute, several critical issues remain outstanding, particularly the delayed payment of promotion arrears, salary arrears, the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and the backlog of 19 months’ professional allowance arrears owed to resident doctors.
It also expressed concern over the Federal Government’s decision to halt the implementation of the reviewed PAT, which had earlier triggered widespread dissatisfaction among its members and raised fears of disruption to healthcare services nationwide.
Despite these unresolved issues, NARD said it opted to suspend the strike as a demonstration of goodwill and commitment to ongoing dialogue, while giving the government a two-week window to take concrete, measurable and verifiable steps to meet its demands.
The association insisted on the immediate reversal of the decision affecting the PAT, payment of all outstanding arrears, prompt disbursement of the MRTF, and full settlement of the accumulated professional allowance backlog.
It warned that it would reconvene at the expiration of the ultimatum to assess the level of compliance and determine its next course of action, adding that failure by the government to meet its demands within the stipulated timeframe would result in the resumption of the suspended strike without further notice.
NARD also called on its members nationwide to remain calm, united and resolute, while urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent a potential crisis in the health sector.
The association further appreciated the interventions of the Vice President and other stakeholders, expressing hope that their involvement would lead to the timely resolution of the dispute and help sustain healthcare delivery across the country.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To expand affordable healthcare in Kenya, Swedfund has invested about $600,000 into Jacaranda Health Limited (Jacaranda Maternity) to support innovations in neonatal intensive care and strengthen Jacaranda’s ability to provide life-saving services to underserved populations.
Jacaranda Maternity provides high-quality maternal health care at more affordable pricing than typical private providers, focusing on women in Nairobi’s low- and middle-income communities.
The new funding will support the opening of new hospitals, upgrading of neonatal care, and improvements to existing facilities.
Maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kenya remain a challenge, with maternal mortality still high despite improvements in skilled birth attendance.
Public health facilities play a central role but face capacity constraints, while access to reliable, quality care varies across regions and income groups.
Private healthcare providers offering essential maternity services at accessible price points can complement public provision.
Jacaranda Maternity aims to expand its network to six hospitals to achieve financial sustainability while scaling its impact. The healthcare provider is a recognised leader in promoting women’s health, with 71 percent of its staff being women, and a track record of effective environmental and social management.
“This investment will help Jacaranda Maternity provide life-saving care to more women and families while furthering Swedfund’s mission to promote inclusive and sustainable healthcare,” a Senior Investment Manager at Swedfund, Audrey Obara, said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria will get a $350,000 intervention from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to support its response to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu) and strengthen the country’s animal health systems.
An agreement was reached on Wednesday during a strategic meeting between the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO Representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Mr Hussein Gadain, in Abuja.
The intervention, approved under FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme, will support disease containment efforts in 11 affected states and enhance surveillance, coordination and response mechanisms to prevent further spread of the disease.
Speaking during the meeting, Maiha said effective disease control remains critical to improving livestock productivity and protecting the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
He explained that factors such as drought, scarcity of feed, interaction between livestock and wildlife, as well as cross-border movement of animals have contributed to the spread of diseases in some areas.
“We must continue to strengthen our animal health systems and build the capacity required to respond effectively to disease outbreaks. Our collaboration with FAO will help protect livestock assets, improve productivity and support the broader transformation of the sector,” the minister said.
Mr Gadain commended the federal government’s commitment to the development of the livestock sector and assured that FAO would continue to provide technical support to Nigeria.
He stressed the need to strengthen veterinary services at the state and community levels, improve early detection of diseases and promote biosecurity practices among livestock farmers.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the global campaign to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious disease that affects sheep and goats.
To advance the initiative, the ministry plans to convene a national technical meeting involving veterinary institutions, researchers and practitioners to review Nigeria’s eradication strategy and address gaps in vaccine supply.
As part of preparations, the ministry will engage the National Veterinary Research Institute to assess its vaccine production capacity while exploring other options for vaccine procurement to meet national demand.
Both parties also agreed to accelerate Nigeria’s access to financing under the Pandemic Fund through the One Health approach in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health to strengthen preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases.
Plans are also underway for the Director-General of FAO to participate in the Antimicrobial Resistance Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu is expected to be recognised as the African Champion for the eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants.
The meeting further agreed to inaugurate a Livestock Donor Working Group to coordinate development partner support and advance key initiatives, including the development of a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the livestock sector.
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