The Katsina State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has secured Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) valued at N 400 million to address child malnutrition in the state.
During the official handover ceremony, UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, highlighted the urgency of the intervention, noting that many children have suffered intellectual impairment as a result of prolonged malnutrition.
Munduate has announced that 7,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) have been secured under the Child Nutrition Match Fund to support nearly 8,000 children suffering from life-threatening malnutrition. This initiative aims to address the rising cases of child malnutrition and improve the health outcomes of children under five years old in Katsina State.
Meanwhile, Katsina State has emerged as the cheapest state in Nigeria for maintaining a healthy diet. Residents in Katsina allocate an average of N739 per day to ensure their nutritional needs are met without breaking the bank. This affordability contributes to the state’s efforts to combat malnutrition and promote the well-being of its young population.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the significant challenge of malnutrition in the state. He announced that both the state government and UNICEF contributed N200 million each to procure therapeutic food to support children suffering from malnutrition.
In his remarks, Governor Radda stressed the need to address malnutrition in children between zero and five years, stating that it is a critical period for saving lives. He called on parents to seek timely medical assistance for their children, emphasizing that malnutrition is preventable.
The Katsina State Government further reaffirmed its partnership with development organizations like UNICEF to improve child health and ensure a healthier, more productive population.