The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Kwara State Government, has handed over 1,982 out of 4,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to mothers in the state through the Child Nutrition Fund.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating childhood malnutrition.
Represented by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Professor Mamman Saba Jibril, the governor said the partnership with UNICEF was established through discussions in late 2023. He added that the collaboration led to a joint investment of $200,000 in RUTF, with each partner contributing $100,000.
“The parents of malnourished children can access treatment through designated health facilities, where trained healthcare providers will ensure the proper distribution and utilisation of the therapeutic food,” the governor said.
Also speaking, Professor Aisha Gbolakale, a Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Ilorin, made a passionate call to action, describing severe acute malnutrition (SAM) as a national priority requiring urgent attention.
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“The consequences are dire: up to 400,000 children with SAM die annually, translating to over 1,000 deaths per day,” she stated.
The professor urged policymakers and stakeholders to take decisive action by increasing domestic investment, improving healthcare integration, and supporting local manufacturing of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, commended the commitment of the Kwara State Government to child well-being and emphasised the importance of sustained partnerships in combating malnutrition.
“With over 40 per cent of children stunted and nearly 300,000 suffering from wasting in Kwara State, the need for urgent, sustained action cannot be overstated,” Munduate said. “The State Government’s commendable contribution is a strong statement of leadership and compassion.”
“UNICEF, in collaboration with the government, will hand over nearly 4,000 cartons of RUTF to mothers in Kwara State.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development in Kwara State, Mrs Mary Arinde, stated that RUTF is a supplement developed to help malnourished children overcome nutritional deficiencies.
“It is to help the children grow well like their contemporaries,” she said, adding that the supplement is not just a life-saver but also a destiny-saver for malnourished children, as it gives them a second chance to live quality lives.
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