The Jigawa State Government on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 assured of its commitment to partner with the United Nations Children and Education Fund (UNICEF), to improve the nutritional status of women and children in the state.
Malam Umar Namadi, governor of the State, gave the assurance shortly after UNICEF handed over 12,400 cartons of Ready to use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to the state government.
The therapeutic foods are expected to be used to treat 14,000 children battling wasting — a condition where a child is too thin for height.
The initiative which is being funded through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) estimated to cost about N500 million, was procured under a matching fund arrangement between the state government and UNICEF Child Health Grant with a 1:1
While receiving the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate in his office, Governor Namadi said that the collaborative efforts with the UNICEF has led to the delivery of high-quality therapeutic food for the treatment of hundreds of malnourished children in centers for Community Management of Acute Malnutrition, which he noted was timely.
A statement by Hajiya Zainab Shuaibu Rabo Ringim, Senior Special Assistant, Media Affairs to the Governor of Jigawa State, said that Governor Namadi leveraged on the visit of the Country Representative to carry out the foundation laying ceremony for the revitalization of Primary Healthcare Facilities across each of the 30 State Constituencies.
Namadi also said that the product is presently almost out of stock in the State over 70 CMAM Centers spread across the State, adding that the intervention was in line with the State Government commitments in addressing the concerns raised in the report on the Situation Analysis of Children in Jigawa.
The Governor said; “Specifically, these concerns include ensuring nutrition security for our children given the unfavorable statistics on such nutrition indices as wasting and stunting among children in the State.
“We are, more than ever before, committed to doing whatever is necessary to change the narratives by sustaining and improving on all ongoing nutrition programs including the ongoing collaboration with UNICEF, to ensure that no child in the State is allowed to experience hunger and malnutrition.
“We all believe, the biggest tragedy that could happen to a child is to be afflicted with malnutrition at the formative stage of his or her life as the consequences of such an affliction are irreversible.
“With a hampered cognitive capacity, the child is prevented from attaining his or her full potentials in life. In addition to these collaborations, we also remain committed to sustaining and improving on our home grown Masaki Nutrition Program which was meant to leverage on locally available recipes with significant and positive impact on child nutrition,” he said.
Speaking further on the strategic partnership, Governor Namadi noted that UNICEF remains the oldest and most consistent Development Partner collaborating with and supporting the efforts of successive Governments in the State in the delivery of basic social services especially those that promotes the survival, protection and development of women and children.
The Governor further said; “For over three decades, UNICEF has continued to provide support in such areas as Health & Nutrition, Basic Education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, social policy development, and Social Protection interventions among others.
“As a government, we appreciate UNICEF’s effort as a significant move to combat malnutrition,” the governor said.
Jigawa state faces a high burden of malnutrition, with 64% of children stunted, 9.6% wasted, and 81.9% suffering from anemia.
On her part, Ms Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, said that the commitment of Jigawa state in addressing malnutrition has been exemplary.
Munduate said; “The Child Nutrition Fund has allowed us to double our impact, ensuring that more children receive the life-saving treatment they need and I hope other state governments will be encouraged to replicate this effort.
“UNICEF will provide Multiple Maternal Supplements (MMS) free of cost for pregnant women in Jigawa State to improve pregnancy outcomes, even as our commitment to enhancing nutrition and health outcomes for the people of Jigawa, especially women and children, remains steadfast,” she said.
Munduate expressed gratitude to the Jigawa State Government for the long existing partnership and assured of the readiness of the Fund to continue supporting the development of the state, adding that the State under Governor Namadi witnessed giant stride in the health sector, and the distribution RUTF procured in partnership with the administration of the State.
Jigawa was one of the early adopters of the CNF, releasing N250 million in 2023 just as UNICEF matched the amount thus, enabling the procurement of 12,400 cartons of RUTF. The initiative will treat children with severe wasting, marking the largest contribution by any state in Nigeria under the CNF initiative.
Malnutrition in Nigeria is on the rise, driven by conflict, forced displacement, and increasing food insecurity due to limited accessibility and affordability.
The RUTF consignment was procured under a Matching Fund arrangement between the State Government and UNICEFs Child Health Grant with a 1:1 funding ratio.
