The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supplied 11,580 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to the Gombe State Government to strengthen efforts to treat children suffering from acute malnutrition.

The intervention is expected to improve access to specialised nutritional treatment for vulnerable children across the state, with UNICEF emphasising the need for proper distribution, supervision and adherence to prescribed treatment procedures.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, commended the state government for contributing N500 million towards nutrition interventions in 2025.

She explained that the contribution attracted an additional N500 million through the Child Nutrition Fund, a matching-fund arrangement that supports the procurement of essential nutrition supplies.

According to Rafique, the latest consignment contains millions of sachets of RUTF, a specialised food used in the treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition.

She cautioned that the product must only be administered to children who require it for treatment and should not be consumed as ordinary food.

Rafique also called on community-based organisations, including Mama2Mama and Fathers for Good Health, to strengthen public education on the appropriate use of the supplies.

She stressed that children receiving treatment must complete their prescribed courses without interruption, urging parents and caregivers to follow the guidance provided by healthcare professionals.

The UNICEF official further highlighted the importance of accountability in managing the donated commodities, commending the state government for establishing a committee to prevent diversion, misuse and abuse of the supplies.

She called for effective monitoring systems to ensure that the products reach their intended beneficiaries.

GOMBE GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CHILD NUTRITION

The Gombe State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Professor Bertha Abdu, expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its continued support, particularly in programmes targeting the welfare of women and children.

Abdu noted that proper nutrition plays a critical role in children’s physical growth and overall development. She warned that nutritional deficiencies during childhood could have lasting consequences for health and development.

She called for sustained investment in nutrition programmes to protect children’s wellbeing and improve their developmental prospects.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Habu Dahiru, described child nutrition as an important factor in building a healthy and productive population.

Dahiru said the state was complementing UNICEF’s interventions through the production of locally developed, nutrient-rich food.

He disclosed that production had been expanded, while discussions were ongoing with the North-East Development Commission to increase the capacity of the production facility to serve Gombe and neighbouring states.

The commissioner said the ministry was prepared to work with UNICEF and other development partners to scale up the production of locally made nutritional products, particularly to support efforts to address moderate malnutrition.

He also assured residents that the government would monitor the distribution of the donated therapeutic food to ensure it reaches children who need treatment.
OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF NUTRITION
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Micah Sunday, described UNICEF as an important partner in the state’s efforts to improve children’s health and development.

He explained that tackling malnutrition would benefit children beyond their physical health, noting its implications for brain development, educational performance and general wellbeing.

Sunday added that adequate nutrition was essential to raising healthy, productive citizens capable of contributing to society.

The donation is expected to strengthen Gombe State’s response to severe acute malnutrition by improving access to essential therapeutic food for vulnerable children.

Source: Punch News