Jigawa records 9,208 cases of acute malnutrition

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

No fewer than 9,208 cases of severe acute malnutrition have been presently recorded across 27 local government areas of Jigawa State.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a retreat for relevant committees in Jigawa State House of Assembly on the prevention and treatment of severe acute malnutrition as a child right organised by CISLAC and held at Quarter House Hotel Kano.
However, the communiqué added that about 1,510 cartons (plus 8000 from Federal Ministry of Health) of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) are available for the treatment.
“Jigawa State presently records 9,208 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition with 1,510 cartons (plus 8000 from Federal Ministry of Health) of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) available for the treatment, while effort is in place to sustain supply, avert stock-out and scale-up to other LGAs, “ it said.
During the retreat, the dreaded impacts of malnutrition was discussed including monumental economic and productivity losses, irreparable potential loss, increased susceptibility to communicable diseases and other infections.
The retreat aimed at enlightening members of relevant committees on SAM issues and how they can ensure that SAM is recognised as a human right issue and prioritization of funding for the Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) through appropriate legislative process.
Some of the measures highlighted during the retreat to address the SAM in the state includes: Community-based Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) activities as a paramount to complement existing efforts and enhancing preventive and curative measures against SAM in Jigawa State.
Then the communiqué commended Jigawa State Government for the adaptation of Social Protection Policy, Food and Nutrition Policy as part of the efforts to address malnutrition challenges in the state.