By Danhassan Abubakar
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered 11,589 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to Gombe State to treat children with severe acute malnutrition under a ₦1 billion funding arrangement. The intervention is backed by ₦500 million from the state government and a matching ₦500 million from the Child Nutrition Fund, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Chief, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, said while handing over the items to the State Government.
Rafique urged community-based groups, including Mama2Mama and Fathers for Good Health, to intensify awareness of child malnutrition and the proper use of RUTF, stressing that the therapeutic food is specifically for children with severe acute malnutrition and must not be diverted or used as regular food.
She emphasised the need for children undergoing treatment to complete their prescribed doses without interruption, while commending the state government for establishing a committee to prevent diversion and misuse of the supplies.
She stressed that the intervention underscores the urgent need to protect vulnerable children from malnutrition through timely treatment, community awareness and responsible management of nutrition supplies.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Prof. Bertha Abdu, described adequate nutrition as essential to children’s growth and development, while the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Habu Dahiru, disclosed that the state was expanding local production of nutrient-rich food in collaboration with the North-East Development Commission.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Micah Sunday, also highlighted the importance of nutrition to children’s brain development, educational attainment and overall wellbeing.
The delivery presents an opportunity to strengthen the fight against child malnutrition, but sustained investment, community engagement and effective monitoring remain critical to ensuring that every child in need receives lifesaving treatment.