By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
The Yobe government and UNICEF have spent $200,000 in procurement of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to tackle malnutrition in children.
The commodities were procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) matching grant initiative, jointly funded by the state and the UNICEF.
Dr Muhammad Gana, the state Commissioner of Health and Human Services, stated this at the flagg-off of the First Round Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCHW) and distribution of 3,256 cartons of RUTF in Damaturu.
He said both the state and UNICEF contributed $100,000 each in 2025 the for procurement of the commodity, which would support the treatment of thousands of malnourished children in the state.
Gana announced that Gov Mai Mala Buni of the state had approved the release of N500 million as the state’s 2026 counterpart contribution to the CNF.
“ This investment will strengthen our nutrition programme, improve access to life saving treatment, reduce child mortality and contribute significantly to the achievement of better nutrition outcomes for our children,” Gana said.
UNICEF Nutritional Health Specialist, Mr Aminu Usman, said although Global Acute Malnutrition index dropped from 12.1% in 2024 to 10.2 % in 2025, more efforts were required to reach acceptable threshold.
He, therefore, recommended community-based management of acute malnutrition, improved infant and young child feeding practice, strengthened routine immunisation, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, among others.
“ Vitamin A supplementation remains one of the most effective child survival interventions.
“ UNICEF reiterates the importance of ensuring that every eligible child aged 6-59 months receives two doses annually through the MNCHW platform,” Usman said.
The official noted that MNCHW was a bi-annual event connecting newborns, children and mothers to essential health and wellbeing services.
“ The aim is to reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths as well as improve health seeking behaviour.
“ As we flag-off the first round of the 2026 MNCHW today, children and women will receive health, nutrition and child protection services which will ultimately boost their survival, development and growth.
“ MNCHW is a proven platform that complements routine health services by expanding access to essential interventions, particularly for the most vulnerable populations,” he said.
Usman listed other services lined up for the week to include vitamin A supplementation for children, deworming, immunisation services, family planning, birth registration and HIV testing, among others.
The official reiterated UNICEF commitment to supporting Yobe government and all partners in sustaining and expanding equitable access to integrated health and nutrition services.
Dr Babagana Machina, Executive Secretary, state Primary Healthcare Board, said healthcare services would be provided at 356 designated health centres and outreach points across the state.
“ Our goal is to achieve at least 90 percent coverage for all interventions, particularly among vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, thereby accelerating progress toward achievingUniversal Health Coverage (UHC).