The Gombe State Government has intensified efforts to combat child malnutrition with the procurement of one billion naira worth of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) through a strategic partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The procurement was jointly funded by the Gombe State Government and UNICEF, with each party contributing N500 million as counterpart funding to support the treatment of malnourished children across the state.
Receiving the consignment on behalf of the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Gombe State Taskforce on Diversion and Misuse of RUTF, Manassah Daniel Jatau, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, said the intervention became necessary due to the high prevalence of malnutrition among children in the state.
Dr. Shuaibu explained that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya remains deeply committed to addressing malnutrition and improving child health outcomes through strategic partnerships and sustainable interventions.
He noted that the state government and UNICEF each provided matching funds of N500 million for the procurement of the therapeutic food, which is specifically designed for the treatment and recovery of severely malnourished children.
“This is not the first time the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is partnering with UNICEF to procure RUTF for malnourished children in the state,” he said.
“It may also interest you to know that the state government, through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, has commenced local production of RUTF to ensure sustainability and long-term availability of the product.”
The Executive Secretary further disclosed that the Gombe State Government has developed a comprehensive Food and Nutrition Policy alongside a four-year Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Nutrition, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Federal Government’s policies on agriculture and food security.
According to him, distribution of the commodities across the state will commence immediately after the conclusion of necessary logistical and security arrangements to ensure a smooth and transparent exercise.
Also speaking, UNICEF Vaccine Security and Logistics Consultant in Gombe State, Pharm.
Abubakar Mohammed, said available data indicate a high number of malnourished children across the state, underscoring the need for sustained collaboration between UNICEF and the state government.
He commended the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya for its commitment and consistency in tackling malnutrition and improving healthcare delivery.
“We appreciate the continuous and unhindered partnership with the Gombe State Government,” he said, assuring that UNICEF would continue to support the state in addressing malnutrition and other child health challenges.
Earlier, the State Cold Chain Officer, Pharm. Ahmed Hashidu, while presenting the delivery note for the commodities, disclosed that a total of 11,500 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food transported in seven trailers were delivered to the Gombe State Central Medical Store.
