By George Coben, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has taken delivery of life-saving nutrition commodities worth #600 million from UNICEF to combat severe acute malnutrition among children under 5.
The package included 4,562 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food, RUTF, and 15,419 cartons of small-quantity lipid-based nutrition supplements( SQLNS).
While the commodities were reportedly procured through a joint contribution of#600 million, with Bauchi state government providing #300 million alongside the 20 LGAs, UNICEF matched the amount through the child nutrition fund( CNF).
Governor Bala Mohammed who received the supplies at the government store located at the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program (BSADP), headquarters, said that the commodities would be used to treat severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6 — 59 months.
Represented by his Deputy, Auwal Jatau, the Governor said that the intervention would prevent malnutrition among children aged 6 — 23 months.
“Strengthening primary health care services, maternal and child health nutrition, and immunization remains a priority of my administration,” Governor Mohammed reiterated.
He also directed the state primary health care board to establish a monitoring committee to ensure proper distribution and use of the commodities.
Earlier speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for health, Sani Mohammed Dambam, who cited data from the national demographic and health survey (NDHS), disclosed that 61.7% of children in Bauchi are stunted while anaemia among women aged 15 — 49 stands at 68.6%.
The ministry of health and social welfare revealed that 601 health care workers have been trained to deliver nutrition services in selected health facilities across the state.
On his own part, chief of field office, UNICEF Bauchi, Nuzhat Rafique, described the intervention as critical, noting that over 61% of children in the state suffer from malnutrition.
“I encourage families to adopt better feeding and nutrition practice at household level to prevent malnutrition” she concluded
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