To fight the growing problem of child malnutrition, the Nigerian Exchange Group, together with the Health Emergency Initiative and Lagos State Government, started Project B.L.O.O.M. (Bringing Life to Our Overlooked Minors).
The project began at Aiyetoro Health Centre in Yaba. It aims to reduce malnutrition among children under five years old.
The first phase focused on helping 350 children in six areas, including Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Apapa, and Lagos Island.
At the event, Dr. Oludolapo Sotunde, the Director of Medical Services for Lagos State Health District, said the project is more than just giving food. It also teaches, checks progress, and follows up with help from local health centers and government
She added that the project uses local foods and teaches mothers how to cook them in a healthy way to help their children grow well.
She said they found the malnourished children using special helpers called malnutrition trackers.
“These trackers go into communities to find children who are not well-nourished, even if they don’t come to the health center, and bring them here,” she explained.
Pascal Achunine, Executive Director of Health Emergency District, said the project came at the right time.
He said the program started four months ago after the Nigeria Stock Exchange asked for a partnership to help vulnerable people.
Together, they created Project B.L.O.O.M. to help children who are often forgotten.
He said they have helped 100 children so far, out of the 350 planned.
“Today, nearly 100 children got help and will take home special ready-to-use therapeutic food,” he said.
He added that malnutrition causes many deaths in children under five years old.
At the end of the event, children and their mothers were given food and other supplies.
The families thanked the organizers for their help.
A happy mother from Ajegunle said, “I was invited by my landlady’s child. I left work to come because of the benefits. Thank you, my children will keep growing.”
Another mother from Makoko said, “My child likes biscuits and noodles, but they are not healthy. What we learned here has been very helpful. Thank you for taking care of us.”
