In a significant effort to combat malnutrition, UNICEF and Kwara State government have deployed 3, 964 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to combat child malnutrition in the state.
The initiative, funded through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), reflects the strong commitment of both partners to improving child health and tackling malnutrition at the community level. The Kwara State Government contributed USD 100,000, which was matched by UNICEF, enabling the joint procurement of the life-saving nutritional supplies.
According to UNICEF, the distribution will be carried out in two phases, with 1,982 cartons delivered in the first batch and another 1,982 to follow in the second. The RUTF will be allocated to health facilities across the state, specifically targeting children under five suffering from severe wasting one of the most life-threatening forms of malnutrition.
Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, including in Kwara State. This intervention marks an important milestone in efforts to ensure that essential nutrition support is accessible to the most vulnerable children.
“The Kwara State Government’s proactive approach to addressing child malnutrition is highly commendable,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative. “The Child Nutrition Fund allows us to amplify our efforts and reach more children with the vital nutrition they need. We hope this partnership inspires other states to make child nutrition a priority.”
Munduate also highlighted the upcoming Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week in May/June as a critical opportunity to deliver a package of essential health and nutrition services, including vitamin A supplementation, deworming tablets for children, and multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant women.
She further urged the Kwara State Government to allocate additional human resources to strengthen Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) services across all local government areas.
“UNICEF calls for sustained investment to maintain the progress made and to expand nutrition interventions. Given the high malnutrition burden in Kwara State, continued and increased funding is vital to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable children,” she added.
This initiative underscores the importance of strategic partnerships and targeted funding in addressing one of the most pressing health issues affecting Nigerian children.
