UNICEF spends N6bn on malnutrition in Jigawa – Officer

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The United Nation Children Education’s Funds (UNICEF) has spent over N6 billion for treatment of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition in Jigawa state from 2009 to date.
This was announced by the UNICEF Bauchi field officer Mr Bhanu Than at the handover ceremony of new concernment of RUTF to state government.
He explained that, UNICEF has been working in collaboration with the other donor partners such as Department for international Development (DFID ) Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the state government for the supply of the Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and treatment of the children with saver acute malnutrition.
According to him, beside the treatments of the affected children UNICEF is also working along with community volunteers and other stakeholder in promoting better practice for infant and young child feeding (IYCF).
The chief field officer added that, the new concernment of RUTF was purchase at the total coast of N300 million with the state given 50% counter funding and 50% from UNICEF.
“ 17,420 cartons of RUTF is handed over to the Jigawa state government and more than 29,355 children with severe acute malnutrition will benefit from the lifesaving commodities”.
He then reiterated the commitment of UNICEF to continue supporting Jigawa state to tackle the challenges of child malnutrition in the state.
In his response while receiving the commodities, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar Fanini thank UNICEF and other stakeholders in supporting the state to improve its public healthcare service delivery.
He re-affirmed the commitment of the state government towards ensuring balance diet for the family to tackle child malnutrition through its comprehensive program “Jigawa Food and Nutrition policy”.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim described the state “Masaki Project” (IYCF) in which communities are directly involve as the best method adopted in preventing children from falling in to malnutrition stage.