By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
In a major step to combat child malnutrition, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and the Kwara State Government have delivered 3,964 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to support the treatment of severe acute malnutrition across the state.
The UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Mrs Christian Munduate stated this on Tuesday in Ilorin while speaking at the Handing Over Ceremony of the Ready-to-use RUTF.
She explained that UNICEF and Kwara Government partnered to deploy 3,964 cartons of the RUTF to combat child malnutrition in the state.
“The initiative funded through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), indicates the commitment of both partners to improving child health and addressing severe acute malnutrition among children in the state,” she said.
According to her, the challenge of over 40 percent of children being stunted and nearly 300,000 children affected by wasting, requires urgent action to address these issues.
Munduate explained that UNICEF and Kwara is partnering to combat malnutrition, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
She observed that the current management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Kwara is limited to a few health facilities and needs to be expanded to more facilities to reach more children.
She disclosed that the Kwara Government’s contribution of $100,000, matched by UNICEF to procure the RUTF for treatment, is a major strike and highly commendable.
“This initiative is lifesaving for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and wasting,” she said.
Earlier in her welcoming address, Dr Mary Arinde, the Kwara Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development emphasized the importance of good nutrition for the mental and physical development of children.
According to her, RUTF is a condiment developed to help malnourished children overcome their nutritional inadequacies and be able to grow well like their contemporaries.
“It is not just a life-saver but also a destiny-saver for malnourished children as it gives them a second chance to live quality lives,” she said.
Also speaking, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam reiterated the resolve of the state government to stamp-out malnutrition Among children.
She explained that the state had earlier carried out health and nutrition intervention including deworming of 700,000 children, administering of Vitamin A, Zinc and ORS among others.
El-Imam pledged the distribution of the essential life saving commodities to the various Primary Healthcare facilities across yhe 16GAs.
To date, 11 Nigerian states—Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Kano, Ebonyi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau—have contributed to the CNF. UNICEF continues to engage remaining states to formalize commitments and encourage sustained investment, ensuring more funding for nutrition and more nutrition for available funds.
