The United Nations Children’s Education Fund, (UNICEF), has handed over 12,400 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods, (RUTF), to the Jigawa State Government, in a move to combat malnutrition in the state.
The initiative, which is funded through the Child Nutrition Fund, (CNF), is expected to treat 14,000 children with “wasting,” a condition where a child is too thin for his or her height.
An estimated 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition, but only two out of every 10 children affected are currently receiving treatment.
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The Nutrition Focal Person, Maimunatu Suleiman, said they recorded over 300 cases of severe malnutrition in Sakwaya Village of Dutse Local Government in Jigawa State.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, expressed admiration for Jigawa State’s efforts, adding that UNICEF will provide multiple maternal supplements for pregnant women in the state.
Highlights of the event included the official launch of the construction of midwifery quarters, a wall fence, solar powered water supply and solar power in 30 primary health centres across the state.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
