The Katsina State Government has vowed to combat malnutrition in the state with the support of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), News About Nigeria reports.
The state received N400 million worth of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) on Wednesday to combat acute child malnutrition in the state.
The provision, according to UNICEF, is expected to benefit over 8,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition.
UNICEF said that this will be in addition to another 1,400 nutritional supplements that have been procured for distribution to malnourished children whose cases are not yet severe.
UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, who disclosed this during the handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Agriculture Warehouse in the State, noted that the RUTF was procured jointly by the state government and UNICEF through the Child Nutrition Match Fund.
He also emphasised the life-saving nature of these supplements for children with severe malnutrition.
While speaking, the state governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, acknowledged that the state has a high rate of child malnutrition.
He also expressed gratitude for UNICEF’s support and reassured the public that the state government will remain committed to addressing the issue and ensuring that the rate of malnutrition in the state is reduced to the barest minimum and even eradicated completely.
He stated that the state has suffered from a high rate of malnutrition for a long time and is glad that it will soon be behind them.
The handover ceremony was attended by two UNICEF Campaign Champions, popular Kannywood/Nollywood actor Ali Nuhu and Rahama Sadau, among other top UNICEF officials.
