The Jigawa State Government has issued a strong warning to health workers against the diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) intended for malnourished children across the state.
In partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the government has been tackling severe acute malnutrition by distributing RUTF to children in need across all 27 local government areas.
In July 2024, UNICEF handed over 12,400 cartons of RUTF to Jigawa, targeting the treatment of 14,000 children.
Jigawa remains one of the states with the highest malnutrition rates in Nigeria, with 64% of children stunted and 9.6% wasted.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on a special programme aired by Sawaba Radio on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdullahi Kainuwa, confirmed that some health workers had been arrested and handed over to the police for allegedly selling the therapeutic food.
“Whoever found diverting the product do so at his own risk,” Dr. Kainuwa warned, reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption in healthcare delivery.
He emphasized that diverting RUTF could have devastating consequences, including increased child mortality, especially among children under the age of five.
Highlighting ongoing efforts by Governor Umar Namadi’s administration, Dr. Kainuwa said: “The Jigawa State government has also partnered with UNICEF to improve nutrition and health outcomes for women and children.”
He noted that the government had taken proactive steps by procuring additional RUTF and launching community-based nutrition programs.
The commissioner called on all health workers to uphold their duty and ensure RUTF reaches the children who need it most.
“They must prioritise the well-being of malnourished children and refrain from diverting RUTF commodities meant for treating children with severe acute malnutrition,” he stressed.
